EUROPEAN FOOTBALL

Chelsea back in for Bayern Munich defender in the summer

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Chelsea has identified Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule as one of their major summer targets. Reports have come out that Chelsea plans to strengthen their defense in the summer and consider the German ideal choice.

Niklas Sule has been enduring a mixed season with Bayern and has only one year left in his contract. The contract situation could mean that Chelsea can get their target for a lower price.

Thomas Tuchel after his appointment has transformed the Chelsea side into an excellent unit. The team has shone especially in the defence which is mostly due to the defensive setup rather than the personnel involved.

Chelsea to strengthen their backline with Sule

The club currently has multiple players competing for the position at the centre-back like Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zuma and also captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Yet, Tuchel is keen to strengthen his backline in the summer. Thiago Silva though a very experienced campaigner cannot start in all the game. While the likes of Rudiger, Zouma and Christensen have been error-prone and have not yet won the complete confidence of Tuchel.

Chelsea had shortlisted multiple players for the centreback role alongside Sule. These include the likes of Dayot Upamecano, Jules Konde and Jose Gimenez. While the former joined Bayern Munich the rest of them will come with a hefty price tag.

BAYERN’S DEFENSIVE DOUBTS

As for Bayern, losing Sule could be a big mistake. The centre back options like David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are set to leave the club in the summer. Bayern did manage to sign Dayot Upamecano as a defensive replacement. Yet, the board will be wary of selling a recognized centreback like Sule.

The issues with the outgoing manager Hansi Flick and sporting director Hasan Salihamadzic have also affected the club as many contracts including that of Sule have not been extended. However, a breakthrough in the contract extension could come in the form of Julian Nagelsmann, who is said to take over as manager at Bayern in the next summer.

Nagelsmann has previous experience working with Sule when they both were part of Hoffenheim. This existing relation could prove to be the final factor determining Sule’s future at Bayern.

More clarity regarding this transfer could develop over the coming weeks as Bayern will finalize their managerial situation. As for Chelsea, they will hope for Sule to not extend the contract and push for a move away from Germany.

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