CHELSEA have THREE of Europe's highest-rated centre-backs on their summer transfer shortlist, according to reports.

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen's departures mean Thomas Tuchel is in serious need of defensive reinforcements.

And there are three big names being targeted by the German manager, according to Sport Bild.

One of those is Sevilla star Jules Kounde, who has been continuously linked with Chelsea over the past year.

SunSport exclusively revealed last month that the 23-year-old is keen to join the Blues and help vill the voids in Tuchel's defence.

Elsewhere Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Presnel Kimpembe AND Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt are rumoured to be on Tuchel's shortlist.

German newspaper Bild go on to report that Tuchel 'would like to work" alongside wantaway Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus.

But it is in the heart of defence where the Blues are eyeing statement signings.

Spanish paper Mundo Deportivo claim Kounde has a £76.5million release clause in his Sevilla contract, and negotiations between the two clubs are said to be underway.

With both Rudiger and Christensen leaving - and uncertainty regarding the futures of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso - Tuchel may well look to bring in more than one defender this summer.

Both Kimpembe, 26 and De Ligt, 22, are claimed to be targets.

The Blues have already been linked with Dutchman De Ligt, who has spent the last three seasons with Juve following his £77m move from Ajax in 2019.

Kimpembe, meanwhile, is a product of the PSG academy and has played over 200 times for the French giants.

Blues boss Tuchel has reportedly been told he will have total control over transfers under new owner Todd Boehly.

To help fund moves in other areas of the pitch, SunSport revealed Inter Milan hope to strike a salary-sharing deal with Chelsea to take Romelu Lukaku back to Italy.

Inter are ready to cough up just over a third of Lukaku’s roughly £325,000-a-week pay after his turbulent first season back at Stamford Bridge.

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