(Football news) Chelsea are in direct contact with Paris Saint-Germain over a potential deal for french centre-back Presnel Kimpembe. The Blues have reportedly continued their search for a second defensive signing this summer after landing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli this week. There were several centre-backs linked with a potential move to Stamford Bridge, but Romano claims that Chelsea are now working on a potential deal to get Kimpembe to West London.

The France international spent two seasons working with Tuchel in Paris and he still has two years left in his contract at Parc des Princes. There are claims that PSG are open to selling the defender this summer and have set a price tag of €60-65million (roughly £51-55m) for the player. On the other hand, Chelsea are preparing a bid in the region of €45-50m (£38-42.5m) as the negotiations between the clubs are expected to continue. “PSG consider Kimpembé part of the project — but he can leave in case of a good proposal,” Fabrizio Romano said on Twitter.

PSG are closing in on Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar who could prove influential if Kimpembe decides to leave his boyhood club. The Frenchman is seriously considering leaving Paris for a new challenge as the 26-year-old in an interview said that his next contract will be “very important” for him and that he expected a meeting with PSG over the club’s future project. Nathan Ake was the number target and would have been a brilliant addition to Tuchel’s squad. The Netherlands international had the attributes required to succeed in the Premier League but now that the deal has collapsed, Chelsea have acted quickly and shifted their interest towards Kimpembe. 

The 26-year-old still has two years left on his contract but it appears PSG are ready to cash-in if their valuation is met. Kimpembe has similar attributes to Rudiger, who joined Real Madrid this summer but he’s a lot more composed with the ball at his feet. He can also operate on the left side of a back three so he should fit in well with Tuchel’s 3-5-2 system. Chelsea have already signed Koulibaly from Napoli and have reignited their interest in Sevilla’s Jules Kounde so it will be interesting to see if their two main targets come to Chelsea. 

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