Chelsea add Atletico Madrid star Jose Gimenez to four-man defensive transfer shortlist as Tuchel eyes leader at back

JOSE GIMENEZ is a transfer target for Chelsea, according to reports. The Atletico Madrid defender, 26, joins three others on the shortlist as Thomas Tuchel eyes another leader at the back. According to The Athletic, Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Uruguayan centre-back since 2016. The 60-cap international enjoyed his breakthrough season under Diego […]

JOSE GIMENEZ is a transfer target for Chelsea, according to reports.

The Atletico Madrid defender, 26, joins three others on the shortlist as Thomas Tuchel eyes another leader at the back.

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Chelsea are eyeing a move for Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez[/caption]

According to The Athletic, Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Uruguayan centre-back since 2016.

The 60-cap international enjoyed his breakthrough season under Diego Simeone in 2014-15 after arriving from Danubio in his homeland in 2013.

Gimenez has been a mainstay in the Atleti side this season when available – but a series of injuries and a positive coronavirus test have limited him to 17 appearances.

The report adds Bayern Munich man Niklas Sule and Ibrahima Konate of RB Leipzig are both high on the Stamford Bridge wishlist.

The Bundesliga pair continue to be linked with a move to West London.

Sule, 25, could see his minutes dry up at the Allianz Arena next season with the arrival of Dayot Upamecano.

Meanwhile Konate, 21, is also wanted by the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal.

David Alaba was the fourth man on the shortlist but a deal was never going to be struck with the Austrian.

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He will become a free agent in the summer but did not want to go to Chelsea – plus his £400,000-a-week wage demands were simply too high.

Tuchel already has Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma at his disposal to play in his back three – and used all five since his arrival, shipping just two goals in ten matches.

Plus Fikayo Tomori, Ethan Ampadu, Malang Sarr and highly-rated Marc Guehi remain out on loan for the campaign and could force their way into contention by impressing in pre-season.

Zouma could be one that is allowed to leave on a permanent deal while AC Milan have an option to sign Tomori for £24.2million.

Silva turns 37 in September but has proven to be an astute addition to the squad with his defensive ability and leadership qualities – a 12-month extension to his original one-year deal looks set to be triggered.

Azpilicueta, Rudiger and Christensen each have 15 months left on their current contracts meaning they can discuss free transfers from January.

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Ibrahima Konate of RB Leipzig is also on the Stamford Bridge defensive shortlist[/caption]

AFP

Thomas Tuchel has already used five defenders in his back three since arriving in West London – with plenty of talent out on loan[/caption]