Sale of duo to help Chelsea strike deal for new left-back option Chelsea are hoping to drive down the price of a key target this summer, as Thomas Tuchel aims to shuffle his left-back options, claims a report. The German coach is well stocked at left-back with Ben Chilwell, Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri his three options. England man Chilwell and Alonso have been Tuchel’s preferred personnel. Both have played more as wing-backs in Tuchel’s three-at-the back formation. However, Alonso looks likely to be put up for sale this summer and Emerson seems destined to leave after being frozen out. That will leave Chelsea looking for a left-footed option and La Razon, via Sport Witness, say the Blues have identified Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza as a target. The Spanish left-winger turned left-back spent a period on loan with Leeds in 2017. The 25-year-old was loaned out to Real Betis last season and they passed up the opportunity to sign him permanently. And since his return to the Yellow Submarine he has been superb under Unai Emery. Pedraza has been impressive and made 39 appearances this season, so much so that Chelsea scouts have been impressed. The report claims a deal for Pedraza is on “Chelsea intend to close” over the summer. However, Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia is looking to negotiate a deal for the player. The player has a €35m release clause and is under contract until 2025, leaving Villarreal in a strong position. Still, the report claims Chelsea aim to drive down the price tag. They aim to use the proceeds from the sales of Alonso and Emerson to pay for Pedraza, but they will have rival interest. The Spanish outlet claim Barcelona have Pedraza on their radar and hope to sign him for less than €20m. Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter… Lukaku return talk Meanwhile, Chelsea are preparing to ramp up their interest in a £90million deal for former striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to reports. Summer signing Timo Werner struggled to make an impact again during Tuesday night’s Champions League draw at Real Madrid. To that end, the Blues reportedly believe the Germany frontman will not come good at Stamford Bridge and will move for Inter frontman Lukaku instead. The report in The Sun claims that Thomas Tuchel’s men are willing to bid up to £90m for the 27-year-old. The Sun states that Lukaku is seen as the most achievable attacking target for Chelsea this summer. However, Borussia Dortmund’s scoring machine Erling Haaland also remains on their radar. READ MORE: Tuchel: ‘He missed a big one at West Ham, now he missed another big one’ The post Sale of duo to help Chelsea strike deal for new left-back option appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Chelsea are hoping to drive down the price of a key target this summer, as Thomas Tuchel aims to shuffle his left-back options, claims a report.

The German coach is well stocked at left-back with Ben Chilwell, Marcos Alonso and Emerson Palmieri his three options. England man Chilwell and Alonso have been Tuchel’s preferred personnel. Both have played more as wing-backs in Tuchel’s three-at-the back formation. However, Alonso looks likely to be put up for sale this summer and Emerson seems destined to leave after being frozen out.

That will leave Chelsea looking for a left-footed option and La Razon, via Sport Witness, say the Blues have identified Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza as a target.

The Spanish left-winger turned left-back spent a period on loan with Leeds in 2017.

The 25-year-old was loaned out to Real Betis last season and they passed up the opportunity to sign him permanently. And since his return to the Yellow Submarine he has been superb under Unai Emery.

Pedraza has been impressive and made 39 appearances this season, so much so that Chelsea scouts have been impressed. The report claims a deal for Pedraza is on “Chelsea intend to close” over the summer.

However, Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia is looking to negotiate a deal for the player.

The player has a €35m release clause and is under contract until 2025, leaving Villarreal in a strong position. Still, the report claims Chelsea aim to drive down the price tag.

They aim to use the proceeds from the sales of Alonso and Emerson to pay for Pedraza, but they will have rival interest.

The Spanish outlet claim Barcelona have Pedraza on their radar and hope to sign him for less than €20m.

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Lukaku return talk

Meanwhile, Chelsea are preparing to ramp up their interest in a £90million deal for former striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to reports.

Summer signing Timo Werner struggled to make an impact again during Tuesday night’s Champions League draw at Real Madrid. To that end, the Blues reportedly believe the Germany frontman will not come good at Stamford Bridge and will move for Inter frontman Lukaku instead.

The report in The Sun claims that Thomas Tuchel’s men are willing to bid up to £90m for the 27-year-old.

The Sun states that Lukaku is seen as the most achievable attacking target for Chelsea this summer. However, Borussia Dortmund’s scoring machine Erling Haaland also remains on their radar.

READ MORE: Tuchel: ‘He missed a big one at West Ham, now he missed another big one’

 

The post Sale of duo to help Chelsea strike deal for new left-back option appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Matthew Briggs