Chelsea Dealt Another Transfer Blow Amid Search For New Defenders
Chelsea have been dealt another transfer blow this summer as they are set to lose out on defensive target Jonathan Clauss, according to reports. The Blues will be looking to sign new defenders in the summer transfer market after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively. Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta could also be leaving in the coming weeks, with the Spaniard being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona since the start of the year. His contract in west London was due to expire this summer but an extra year was triggered in his deal due to the 32-year-old playing a certain number of games this season. If he was to leave this summer then Reece James would be the club’s only senior natural option for the right wing-back position, hence why the club may be keen to bring another player in. Jonathan Clauss of France during the International friendly match between France and South Africa. (Alamy) Clauss emerged as one of their targets for the summer, but it now appears as though they may soon lose out on the 29-year-old. According to Fabrizio Romano, Olympique Marseille are ready to make an opening bid for the Frenchman, and talks between them and Lens are said to be ongoing. He will not extend his contract at Lens this summer and Chelsea were eyeing a move for him in the coming weeks, with the defender being valued at €10 million. However it now seems that the Blues could lose out on one of their targets, with Marseille in talks for the French international. Cesar Azpilicueta could stay at Chelsea even longer. (Alamy) It was thought that such a move for Tuchel’s side would see Clauss emerge as a replacement for Azpilicueta, who could leave the club after ten years at Stamford Bridge this summer. They will face Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal on their travels across the pond, before playing Udinese in Italy when they return. The likes of Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill have also been included in the squad after their impressive loan spells at Crystal Palace and Huddersfield Town respectively. Armando Broja is also believed to be joining his teammates next week.
Chelsea consider Jonathan Clauss transfer to compete with Reece James – and Lens right-back ‘dreams’ of Blues move
CHELSEA are reportedly considering a summer swoop for Lens star Jonathan Clauss. That’s after the France international admitted he “dreams” of joining the world champions. 1 Chelsea are lining up a swoop for Lens and France right-back Jonathan ClaussCredit: Getty Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is eyeing reinforcements after Todd Boehly completed his £4.25billion takeover. And he is hoping for more options at wing-back after last season’s title hopes were hit by injuries to Ben Chilwell and Reece James. Emerson Palmieri could return from his Lyon loan to compete with Chilwell on the left flank, with Marcos Alonso set to join Barcelona. But Tuchel is not convinced that either forward Callum Hudson-Odoi or the ageing Cesar Azpilicueta - another Barcelona target - can provide adequate cover for James on the right. And La Voix du Nord claims the Blues boss is now weighing up a bid for highly-rated Clauss. The 29-year-old has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s best defenders since joining Lens from Arminia Bielefeld in 2020. Clauss has been named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year for the past two seasons. And he made his France debut in March against Ivory Coast, with the ace picking up a further three caps during the recent Nations League campaign. FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS - BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS Clauss scored five goals and bagged a further 11 assists as Lens finished seventh in the table this term. And his contract, which expires next summer, includes a release clause worth just £8.5million. Atletico Madrid and Marseille are both said to be lining up offers. But Clauss only has eyes for Chelsea after revealing last year that he “dreams” of playing at Stamford Bridge. Clauss declared: “Since I was a kid, it’s been Chelsea, and it remains Chelsea. “Would I like to discover a new country? Let’s say England. “But I’m not really desperate to discover new countries. “I’ll go where I’m taken or I’ll stay where I am. But yes, England, it makes you dream.”