CHELSEA are ready to make RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol their No.1 transfer target to replace Cesar Azpilicueta, according to reports.
Gvardiol, 20, has been linked with a move to Chelsea throughout the summer and the Blues are keen to sign three central defenders this window.
Josko Gvardiol is Chelsea’s next top target Credit: Getty
Cesar Azpilicueta appears to want a move to Barcelona Credit: Reuters The Croatian featured 46 times for RB Leipzig last season helping the club win the DFB Pokal and qualify for the Champions League.
Chelsea have already completed a deal for Kalidou Kouliably from Napoli and SunSport have exclusively reported that a transfer for £55million-rated Jules Kounde has been agreed with Sevilla.
Thomas Tuchel wanted to bring in Manchester City’s Nathan Ake but with the champions were not willing to sell so attention could turn to Gvardiol.
There is space for one more and another signing would trigger Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta to leave for Barcelona.
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Pavard £30m deal lined up, Kounde £47m signing AGREED Reports earlier this month claimed Chelsea want £7million to part ways with their club captain.
Personal terms have supposedly already been agreed and the move could be completed in the coming days, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Azpilicueta, 32, has been a Chelsea player since 2012 making 474 appearances for the club.
But with his contract expiring next summer, the club are reluctant to lose him on a free and Tuchel is looking to spend big after the takeover of the club by Todd Boehly.
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The signings of Gvardiol, Koulibaly and Kounde would see Chelsea revitalise their defensive options after Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger both left.
Chelsea are having a busy transfer window having already spent £50million on Raheem Sterling from Man City.
More additions could come with Benjamin Pavard and Jonathan Clauss both being linked with moves to Stamford Bridge.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk