Thomas Tuchel will ask Chelsea’s new owners for two new defenders during the summer transfer window, whilst Romelu Lukaku’s uncertain situation has been labelled ‘a nightmare’.
Antonio Rudiger’s confirmed exit will see Chelsea target additions at centre-back this summer with the Germany international set to sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.
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Andreas Christensen will also leave when his contract expires at the end of the season and is expected to join Barcelona, whilst Cesar Azpilicueta has been linked with a return to Spain.
The Telegraph are reporting that Tuchel will request the signing of two defenders once the new owners have been finalised, but will face competition for potential targets with the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle all in the market for centre-backs this summer.
Jules Kounde has again been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge from Sevilla, whilst Villarreal’s Pau Torres is another potential target as the club consider left-side central defenders.
Another major issue for the new ownership is the future of Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to hold talks with the club after a difficult season.
Chelsea signed Lukaku in a club record £97.5m deal from Inter Milan last summer, but the Belgian has struggled to fit into Tuchel’s plans and has scored just 12 goals in all competitions.
According to the report, club sources have described Lukaku’s current situation as ‘a nightmare’ with the 28-year-old’s record-breaking fee and wages of around £325,000-a-week making him difficult to move on should he not find a way to ignite his career with the West Londoners.
Chelsea’s transfer plans are on hold as the bidders for the Premier League side wait to find out which proposal has been accepted and for Government approval to take over from Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge.
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