How Chelsea could line up next season after £200m transfer spending spree with Sterling and Kounde in new-look XI
THOMAS TUCHEL will be chomping at the bit for Chelsea to spring into life in the transfer market – and he doesn’t have long left to wait.
Todd Boehly’s £4.25bn takeover now has Government and Premier League approval, meaning new signings aren’t too far away.
Reports suggest Boehly is eager to back Tuchel in the upcoming window and will give the German around £200m to play with.
Chelsea are even said to have drawn up an EIGHT-MAN centre-back shortlist to cope with the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
It’s expected to be a busy summer of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge, and Tuchel’s line up could be very different come the start of the new season.
Jules Kounde tops the shortlist of defenders, and the Sevilla man would slot straight in on the right hand side of a back-three if he is recruited.
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Meanwhile on the other side the left-footed Josko Gvardiol is an option, having impressed at RB Leipzig.
And in attack the Blues are claimed to be plotting an ambitious raid for Manchester City star Raheem Sterling.
The 27-year-old is out of contract at the Etihad at the end of next season, and is an option if Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech or Christian Pulisic depart.
There could be a fresh face in midfield too.
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West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is highly thought of, but his £150m price-tag is likely to price the Blues out of a move.
Monaco man Aurelien Tchouameni is an alternative, and is admired by those in high places at Stamford Bridge.
A midfield duo of Tchouameni and Mateo Kovacic would be likely to strike fear into the hearts of any Premier League side.
Especially with English duo Reece James and Ben Chilwell marauding down the wings either side of them.
Alternatively there are other options for Chelsea should they miss out on any of their top targets.
The Blues have also been linked with a cut-price swoop for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot.
At just £17m he is certainly an attractive option.
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Elsewhere Villarreal defender Pau Torres has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Torres has numerous Premier League admirers, including Manchester United and Tottenham, and after impressing in Spain would slot straight into the heart of defence were he to sign for the club.