Transfer Centre

Chelsea preparing to launch Presnel Kimpembe bid?

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 13 July 2022

Chelsea are allegedly preparing to launch an official approach for Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe over the coming days.

Chelsea are reportedly preparing to make an effort to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.

After six weeks of failing to bring in new players under new owner Todd Boehly, the Blues are now set to make a wave of additions in a short space of time.

On Wednesday evening, Raheem Sterling was confirmed as a Chelsea player, the England international leaving Manchester City to pen a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League giants are also said to have made progress in their bid to bring in Sterling's former City teammate Nathan Ake with the two teams having allegedly agreed a fee.

Furthermore, Chelsea have all but won the race to sign Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly with the Senegal international reportedly scheduled to undergo a medical on Thursday.

Kalidou Koulibaly warms up for Napoli in April 2022 © Reuters

Despite the prospect of signing two new central defenders within a matter of days, it has been widely reported that Thomas Tuchel wants to add a third fresh face to his backline.

According to Bild journalist Christian Falk, that player could be Kimpembe, who may be allowed to depart PSG during the summer transfer window.

Falk suggests that Chelsea will make a formal approach for the France international once they have finalised the transfer of Koulibaly.

While the size of any transfer fee has not been mentioned, Tuchel is familiar with the 26-year-old having worked with him during his time at Parc des Princes.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe celebrates scoring the opener against Manchester United on February 12, 2019 © Reuters

Kimpembe was a regular in the PSG starting lineup last season, making a total of 29 starts and one substitute outing in Ligue 1 fixtures.

In total, the academy graduate has made 221 appearances for the French giants in all competitions, collecting 16 pieces of silverware and earning 28 caps for his country.

However, with Milan Skriniar likely to depart Inter Milan for PSG, it appears that club officials are ready to cash in on Kimpembe while he has two years remaining on his contract.

Should Chelsea follow up their interest in Kimpembe, it would almost certainly mean that any bids for Jules Kounde and Matthijs de Ligt will be scrapped.