Chelsea retain interest in PSG's Presnel Kimpembe

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • Updated: 30 Jun 2022 21:24 BST
  • 3 min read
Presnel Kimpembe, PSG, 2021/22
© ProShots

Chelsea remain interested in Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe as the defender's future at the club continues to be questioned.

Kimpembe, 26, came through the PSG academy and has been a key member of their first-team squad for over six years. However, the Frenchman has been linked with a move away as PSG continue to target Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar.

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Despite PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi preaching the importance of integrating more local players recently in a bid to improve relations with the fans, the club have continued to target players from further afield.

Renato Sanches, Gianluca Scamacca and Skriniar have all emerged as key targets, while Porto midfielder Vitinha has arrived for €40 million. It comes after the arrival of Luis Campos as sporting director and Christophe Galtier, who is expected to be named head coach once Mauricio Pochettino's exit is confirmed.

Rumours from France have suggested that Galtier may look to implement a 3-5-2 formation at PSG, which could lead to the departure of Neymar, but would also make any decision to sell Kimpembe a strange one given the lack of centre-backs at the club.

Even so, Chelsea are reportedly still keeping tabs on the Frenchman as they look to add to their defensive ranks. Jules Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt, Kalidou Koulibaly, Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake have all been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, while Thomas Tuchel will look at young centre-back Levi Colwill in pre-season before making a decision on his future.

Kimpembe to Chelsea?

GOAL have reported that Tuchel remains keen on being re-united with Kimpembe, whom he worked with during his time at PSG, despite the fact that previous interest has been rebuffed by the Parisians.

Presnel Kimpembe has played over 200 times for PSG
© ProShots - Presnel Kimpembe has played over 200 times for PSG

The report also details that Atletico Madrid have held talks with Kimpembe's representatives as Diego Simeone's looks to beef up the options available to him in the defensive third of the pitch.

Chelsea remain set on signing Leeds star Raphinha and Manchester City's England international Raheem Sterling this summer, while they still hold interest in Declan Rice, despite West Ham's desire to keep him.

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