Chelsea contact made, as plan to snatch elite forward from Tottenham’s grasp emerges

Chelsea intend to enter the race to sign Tottenham target Paulo Dybala this summer and a report has revealed the extent of their efforts thus far.

The Blues are presently unable to sign or sell players this summer. Furthermore, they are unable to tie their current stars down to contract extensions. That is a result of their off-field turmoil, though those restrictions will be lifted once the club’s takeover is completed.

That process is expected to be finalised well in advance of the summer window, meaning disruption to their transfer plans could yet be minimal.

As such, 90min state Chelsea are already formulating their plans for the summer and one avenue includes signing Paulo Dybala.

The Juventus and Argentina star, 28, is poised to take the next step in his career at season’s end.

Dybala has been at Juventus since 2015 and was a key component in their five successive Serie A titles between 2015-20. His efforts there also earned him four selections in the Serie A Team of the Year honours.

However, his contract expires in the summer and it’s looking increasingly likely he’ll be allowed to walk. That has predictably sparked a swathe of speculation linking him to a vast array of European sides.

90min state Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are in the mix, but the most intriguing option is coming from Tottenham.

Spurs have strong connections with Juventus through Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici. Those relationships helped Tottenham to land Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski in January – both from Juve.

However, the report states Chelsea now intend to join the hunt and make their presence felt once their restrictions are lifted.

It’s claimed contact has already been made with Dybala’s camp through intermediaries. That will have been to gauge the player’s interest levels and to notify him Chelsea will be among the runners and riders.

Once Chelsea are free to pursue their own deals, they hope to ‘open discussions’ with Dybala himself.

Dybala could replace a Chelsea attacker

Chelsea fans might be wondering precisely where Dybala would fit in. However, the article concludes there could be changes afoot in Thomas Tuchel’s frontline.

Kai Havertz and Mason Mount are deemed the only two attackers immune from a summer exit.

Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner have both struggled at Stamford Bridge after big money moves. Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, meanwhile, have shone in spurts but have failed to nail down a regular role.

While it’s clear the vast majority of those names will stay, just one exit could spur Chelsea on to land Dybala.

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