REVEALED: Chelsea tried to rival Bayern for Tuchel target

Tom Weber

• Updated: 1 Feb 2024 17:33 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea were interested in Nordi Mukiele in January, according to French media.

The PSG right-back was the subject of intense transfer speculation last month that amounted to, well, very little. The 26-year-old ultimately remained with the French giants but it was not for a lack of trying.

Bayern Munich held a strong interest in the defender and were desperately trying to engineer a deal, with the player himself doing his part and pushing for a move, but the Bavarians were unable to agree a deal with PSG.

Bayern ended up moving on and quickly swooped for a different French right-back in Galatasaray's Sacha Boey, splashing a whopping €30 million on the 23-year-old. However, it has now been revealed that Thomas Tuchel and Bayern weren't the only ones keen on Mukiele last month.

Chelsea wanted Mukiele

According to L'Equipe, Chelsea were also in the mix for the former RB Leipzig man. It is claimed that Mukiele was seen as a potential replacement for Reece James, with the Blues captain once again sidelined with a hamstring injury, a common theme throughout a career hamstrung (no pun intended) by fitness issues.

However, despite the Blues' interest, nothing concrete materialised. With the window soon slamming shut, things have gone quiet on the transfer front for the 26-year-old and Mukiele is expected to remain with the French champions until at least the summer.

Last month, there were also some tentative links to Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen the right side of his defence, as exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, and the Gunners reportedly received the green light from PSG to make a move, but they ultimately never did pursue a deal.

Mukiele has mainly been a bit-part player at PSG under Luis Enrique, hence his willingness to depart the capital club. He will likely be a player to watch come the summer.