Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has three big-money targets ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports. The Blues did not make a first-team addition during the January market despite suffering several key injuries over the last few weeks.
First-choice wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell are sidelined for an extended period.
The latter has suffered a serious knee injury and is expected to be out until next season.
But Chelsea did not source replacement for either of their England pair. Instead, they added 18-year-olds Dylan Williams and Mason Burstow from Derby and Charlton respectively, but they are expected only to come into the team's academy set-up initially.
And it has come to light why the Stamford Bridge outfit did not want to make a fresh addition to Tuchel’s first-team squad in the winter.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has three summer transfer targets (Image: GETTY)
Tuchel has three main targets for the summer and they are likely to cost vast sums of money.
West Ham’s Declan Rice, Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Monaco’s Aurelien Tchouameni are on Tuchel’s shortlist, according to The Athletic.
Chelsea’s thinking was that a January signing would have taken a chunk out of the budget prepared for the trio, the report continues.
Rice, in particular, is known to be valued at around £100m by West Ham.
Want the latest Premier League news as we publish it on Express Sport? Join our brand new Facebook group by clicking here
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
West Ham midfielder Declan Rice is reportedly a Chelsea transfer target (Image: GETTY)
That search for a new defender could become even more pressing in the summer as Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are all out of contract in June.
Tuchel has an incredible amount of talent in forward areas and has struggled to fit them into one team.
The Athletic claim that at least three Chelsea attackers are considering their futures.
The Blues did not allow any players to leave in January.