Chelsea: Tuchel now 'desperate' for key signing at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are ‘focusing on centre-backs’ at this moment in time over other positions, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues have already brought in Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for a fee in the region of £33 million but further additions at the heart of defence could arrive over the coming weeks.

Due to the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who have joined La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively, repairing the defence has become the priority for Chelsea ahead of next season.

There is also growing speculation over the future of club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, who is wanted by Barca, with the Catalan giants reportedly ready to hand him a two-year contract with the option of another 12 months.

However, Chelsea are also known to be in the market for attacking reinforcements after allowing Romelu Lukaku to re-join Inter Milan on loan and missing out on Raphinha.

And 90min have claimed that the west London outfit are among the clubs to have ‘recently held talks with the representatives’ of Ajax winger Antony.

The Brazil international has been on Manchester United’s wish list following the arrival of new manager Erik Ten Hag, and journalist Dean Jones has informed GiveMeSport that Chelsea could rival the Red Devils for his signature.

Romano believes that talks for Antony, who has a £68m asking price, are not ‘advanced’ at this stage and that Chelsea are ‘desperate’ for central defenders as the upcoming campaign fast approaches.

In an interview with GMS, he said: “At the moment, it is not something advanced.

“I think they are now focusing on centre-backs. They’re desperate for centre-backs at Chelsea because they want to clarify the situation as soon as possible.”

The Guardian