How Chelsea tried to hijack PSG's transfer plans

FT Desk

• 4 Nov 2022 02:34 CDT
• 3 min read

Chelsea tried to poach a PSG-bound player when they sold Timo Werner back to RB Leipzig this summer…

Chelsea have done some big business in recent years, with €96.4 million changing hands between them for David Luiz alone when the Brazilian swapped Stamford Bridge for the Parc des Princes in 2014 before returning just two years later.

But competition between the two has risen in the seasons since, and the Blues, having unsuccessfully bid for PSG vice-captain Presnel Kimpembe, tried to poach Nordi Mukiele from under the French champions' noses.

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Chelsea were finalising Werner's €29m return to Leipzig, and they hoped to include Mukiele in the deal. But the Paris-born player had already decided to return home, something he did in a €16m deal.

"Chelsea tried to hijack PSG's deal to sign Nordi Mukiele in the summer," writes transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. "The Blues were keen to include Mukiele as part of the deal to let Timo Werner return to RB Leipzig. Still, Nordi decided to join PSG and it never changed."

Romano goes on to state that Mukiele is unlikely to move in January, although there is significant fuel to that particular fire. The 24-year-old has only started five Ligue 1 games, a victim of his own versatility.

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Competition in his position(s)

Mukiele can play right-back and centre-back with equal aplomb, but Achraf Hakimi is first-choice in the former position with Marquinhos invariably partnered by Sergio Ramos, Kimpembe, or both, in the middle.

Chelsea spent €124m on centre-backs this summer in Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly, and €195m if you include Marc Cucurella, who can play there, but Mukiele's presence might have been welcome.

First-choice right-back Reece James injured his knee in last month's 2-0 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League, and looks likely to miss the World Cup with England.