Chelsea reject PSG's alternative to Kimpembe transfer

James Shearman

27 Jul 2022 16:08 BST
3 min read

Presnel Kimpembe, PSG, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Paris Saint-Germain offered defender Thilo Kehrer to Chelsea as an alternative to Presnel Kimpembe, according to reports.

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Despite the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, The Blues are hoping to add another centre-back to Thomas Tuchel's squad in the transfer window.

Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left on free transfers this summer, so Chelsea's defensive options are limited.

Thomas Tuchel identified Kimpembe, who he worked with at PSG, as the man to strengthen his team going into the 2022-23 season.

However, the Ligue 1 champions want to keep the Frenchman at the club, instead offering to part ways with Thilo Kehrer, according to journalist Christian Falk.

Kehrer is another player that Tuchel worked with in Paris, though he has decided against bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, and now finds himself on the substitutes bench more often than not.

Indeed, he only started 16 Ligue 1 matches last season under Mauricio Pochettino.

Having missed out on Kimpembe, as well as Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt, Nathan Ake and Nordi Mukiele, Chelsea will now turn their attentions elsewhere in what is proving to be a difficult window.

Chelsea's Kimpembe & Kehrer alternatives

Josko Gvardiol

RB Leipzig’s Gvardiol is highly rated by many across Europe and is another player to come out of the club’s brilliant development system.

🤯 Josko Gvardiol made more accurate through balls in the league last season (8) than Reece James, Thiago Silva, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso, Malang Sarr and Cesar Azpilicueta COMBINED (7) pic.twitter.com/I1agmVP3Rd
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 20, 2022

The former Dinamo Zagreb defender only moved to Germany last season, and is a target for many across Europe, with his impressive performances in his debut Bundesliga campaign catching the eye.

He won’t be easy to sign, though, as Leipzig are chasing a big fee for him, and it’ll only get bigger as they get closer to the start of the season.

Wesley Fofana

Fofana has done well for Leicester City in recent times and is undoubtedly their best defensive player.

Fofana has decent Premier League experience, although Chelsea will be vary of his recent injury history, and see it as a cause for concern.

A move won’t be cheap either; the 21-year-old is believed to cost around £60 million, as Leicester hope to make a big profit on the player.

Milan Skriniar

Skriniar is reportedly close to a move to Paris Saint-Germain, and a move could be completed soon, which means the Blues will have to enter a competition for him.

The Slovak has been one of Serie A’s most consistent in recent times and has been at the heart of Inter’s title challenges over the last few years.

Signing him may prove to be a challenge though, as Chelsea will have to fork out big money again and do so quickly to avoid losing him to PSG.