Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is reportedly keen on spending big in the summer to bolster his ranks with a coveted shortlist drawn up, according to claims from The Athletic.
The likes of Jules Kounde, Declan Rice and Aurelien Tchouameni are eyed by Chelsea who saw a deadline day swoop for FC Barcelona contract rebel Ousmane Dembele end in a setback.
Dembele was heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou in the mid-year transfer window with just six months left on his terms with Barcelona as Chelsea and Manchester United remained engaged in the pursuit of the Frenchman’s signature.
For the Stamford Bridge camp, reinforcements in midfield will be of much importance to Tuchel with last summer’s recruit Saul Niguez tipped for a return to parent club Atletico Madrid following an underwhelming loan stint in the English capital.
Longstanding target Jules Kounde, on the back of his stellar run of form in the Sevilla shirt, remains a top name on Tuchel’s shopping list with the Chelsea boss in line to lose contract rebels Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen in the summer.
