Chelsea have ideal opportunity to seal £35m Declan Rice alternative after Champions League shock
In order to make further upgrades to his star-studded team, Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel will be active in the last week of the transfer market, according to reports.
The former Paris Saint-Germain manager has already added a world-class center-forward to his squad in the shape of Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Stamford Bridge for a second term with the club earlier this month after a successful spell with the club during his previous tenure.
Transfer analyst Gianluca Di Marzio said on Wednesday evening that a €50 million (£42.7 million) agreement to recruit Sevilla center-half Jules Kounde is “nearly done.” The Blues are reportedly close to completing a deal to sign Sevilla defender Jonathan Kounde.
Chelsea has also been connected with a number of midfielders, including Atletico Madrid talisman Saul Niguez and West Ham United talisman Declan Rice, who the Hammers are allegedly willing to sell for about £100 million, a sum that the west London club is unlikely to match.
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In the meanwhile, the reigning European champions may have received a lift in their pursuit of another central midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni, after his parent club Monaco was eliminated from the UEFA Champions League during their play-off match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Monaco went into the second leg against Shakhtar with a 1-0 lead following the first leg on home soil, but they were pegged back in the 74th minute and five minutes from extra time to be defeated 3-2 on aggregate by the Ukrainian side.
Double trouble… 🥜 🤣 pic.twitter.com/soE6LQ7ky1
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 25, 2021
Monaco is considering a move for the French teenager, who is valued at about £35 million.
In addition, The Telegraph earlier reported that Monaco’s departure from Europe might result in a lower-than-expected transfer fee for the 21-year-old.
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In an interview with the London is a Blue podcast, writer Matt Law said that if Monaco were to abruptly exit the Champions League and decide they want financial assistance, “that would be a chance that presents itself, so I wouldn’t completely rule it out.”
As long as former Blue Cesc Fabregas is to be believed, Tchouameni would be an excellent addition to the squad, with the Spaniard providing a high endorsement of his teammate at a summer press conference.
“I’ll teach you all how to score, one by one.” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/PUnA5cNnWo
— LDN (@LDNFootbalI) August 25, 2021
“I believe he can play everywhere in midfield and will have no problems,” he told BT Sport. “I believe he can play anywhere in midfield and will have no issue.”
“He can play as a defensive midfielder, a number six as well, or as a number eight in some situations.
“I even feel he has the potential to develop into a decent number 10 in (a few) years because he has the ability to go into the box. His last pass could be a little more polished, but he is still very young.
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