Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Conte back in the race for defender Niklas Sule after Bayern Munich balk at Hoffenheim’s asking price
Bayern and Sule were thought to have agreed a £21m move but president Uli Hoeness says: "The transfer fee could seriously endanger the deal."
CHELSEA could be back in the race to sign defender Niklas Sule after Bayern Munich hit out at Hoffenheim's valuation of the player.
Bayern were close to agreeing a £21m deal for the 21-year-old, but interest from Antonio Conte's side and PSG have raised the stakes.
The German champions' president Uli Hoeness fumed at fellow Bundesliga side Hoffenheim for moving the goalposts in the deal and said the transfer could be cancelled altogether.
He told Kicker: "There are still big problems. The transfer fee could seriously endanger the deal."
Chelsea are said to be willing to pay a fee of at least £30m for Sule, which would match what they spent on David Luiz in August.
Sule made his debut for Germany in August and with Man United forking out £42m to sign 22-year-old Benfica defender Victor Lindelof, Hoffenheim will be happy to see Premier League clubs enter the race.
The defender is contracted to the club from a German village of 35,000 people until 2019, so they are under no pressure to accept the first offer.
Sule reportedly rejected enquiries from Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool in summer, saying: "Familiar environment is very important for my development."
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The 6ft 5in defender is unsurprisingly accomplished in the air and is technically gifted on the ground, with an excellent passing range.
But if he does choose to join Chelsea, he might not have Thibaut Courtois behind him in goal.
The Belgian goalkeeper has reportedly told friends and family he will move to Real Madrid in the summer.