Kogiflame
Following their victory in the Champions League final on Saturday, Chelsea can now begin preparing for next season and manager Thomas Tuchel is keen to build on their success.
Tuchel is set to sign a new deal with the Blues and he is also looking to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window.
According to a report from the Telegraph, several names are on Tuchel’s wish list, with the 47-year-old keen to bring in a new striker.
The report states that Chelsea have already registered their interest in Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku and Tottenham Hotspur goalscorer Harry Kane.
Tuchel is also said to be after a new midfielder, with AS Monaco ‘s Aurelien Tchouameni being considered as an alternative to Declan Rice.
Romelu Lukaku has scored 64 goals in two seasons for Inter, and could be on the move this summer Chelsea will be looking to cash in on a number of fringe players this summer, with the report claiming Tuchel could have a budget of up to £200m at his disposal. Speaking about potential new signings, Tuchel said: “Two or three could be very, very good. It’s a constant thing to never deny also change. “That you always bring new energy, new guys who question the old beliefs, who challenge everybody in the training and in matches, so I think it’s a good thing.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel will be given up to £200million to spend this summer, with the German keen on signing at least three players with his transfer budget.
The German guided Chelsea to Champions Leaguesuccess on Saturday with a 1-0 win against Manchester City in the final in Porto and in doing so triggered a contract extension clause in his current deal, which was set to elapse next summer.
Chelsea spent around £220m under Frank Lampard last summer, which was in part to make up for the fact that the Englishman had been operating under a transfer ban since his appointment from Derby County.
We don’t need another seven and another complete turnover because it’s also our job to keep on improving because we have still a young squad and it’s now about stealing from them the chance to prove it again that they are capable of growing and evolving.
“But we have some ides, of course, to make the group stronger and I think this can always be a positive thing to challenge all of us.”
Lukaku joined the Serie A giants for £74m in 2019 from Manchester United but his stock has risen significantly in the last two years.
Tuchel is keen to sign a midfielder, with the German now persuaded by previous interest in West Ham ace Rice.
Interest in the England international appeared to be over when Lampard left the club but Tuchel has been impressed by the midfielder’s performances since he moved to England.
Rice, though, is valued at around £100m and West Ham would prefer not to sell to their London rivals, if at all this summer.
Perhaps the most surprising target is Wolves winger Traore. The Spaniard was a target for Antonio Conte back in 2017 but Tuchel wants competition for Reece James at right-wing back and feels the rapid former Barcelona ace is perfect for the role.
It’s unclear how much Wolves would demand for the winger but Borussia Monchengladbach’s Jonas Hofmann is suggested as an alternative should Wolves’ asking price prove too high.
Asked about the club’s transfer plans, Tuchel admitted he wants to freshen up the squad to keep the competition alive among the players.
‘Two or three [signings] could be very, very good,’ said Tuchel.
‘It’s a constant thing to never deny change. That you always bring new energy, new guys who question the old beliefs, who challenge everybody in the training and in matches, so I think it’s a good thing.
‘We don’t need another seven and another complete turnover because it’s also our job to keep on improving, because we have still a young squad and it’s not about stealing from them the chance to prove it again that they are capable of growing and evolving
footballng.com
