Presnel Kimpembe set to snub Chelsea in favour of PSG stay

Presnel Kimpembe has reportedly ready to snub a transfer to Chelsea and continue his career with French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Le10 Sport, Chelsea have been dealt a major blow in pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain and France defender Presnel Kimpembe as the 26-year-old has decided to stay put at Parc des Princes this summer.

Kimpembe is a product of the PSG academy and has been a mainstay at the heart of the Parisians’ defence for years. A permanent fixture in the French national team as well, the centre-half has tasted plenty of success at the club and the international level. However, heading into this summer, there were question marks over his future as PSG were pursuing new defenders.

It had led to Kimpembe stalling on a contract extension as he sought clarity on the club’s plans for him. It gave Chelsea a window of opportunity to try and swoop for the 26-year-old’s signing.

Chelsea are in the market for defensive reinforcements after losing Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger as free agents. Cesar Azpilicuta could also be on his way out imminently as well, with Barcelona intent on the veteran defender, leaving the Blues shy on numbers in the centre-back department.

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Chelsea have already brought in Kalidou Koulibaly to add to the existing defensive roster that consists of Trevoh Chalobah, Thiago Silva and Malang Sarr. And manager Thomas Tuchel is intent on signing at least another top-quality player in the position, which makes sense considering he sets his team up with a three-man backline.

Chelsea pushed for Matthijs de Ligt, but he opted to join Bayern Munich. Nathan Ake was also on the agenda, but he is staying put at Manchester City while Jules Kounde is Barcelona-bound. As a result, Chelsea have identified Kimpembe as a target, with Tuchel knowing the Frenchman well after the pair worked together at PSG in the past.

Talks over a deal had been ongoing between the clubs, but as per the report, Kimpembe has now decided not to join Chelsea as he plans on staying put at the Parc des Princes. The report further claims that Chelsea called the defender directly and held talks to try and convince him, but the 26-year-old has decided to continue in France.

So, with another target seemingly slipping out of their hands, it will be interesting to see who Chelsea decide to pursue. Pau Torres of Villarreal has been touted as a target, while RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol is also on their radars.