Tuchel eyes reunion with PSG starlet Kays Ruiz-Atil at Chelsea
According to claims from Foot Mercato via Inside Futbol (h/t Football.London), Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is weighing up a reunion with highly-rated Paris Saint-Germain prospect Kays Ruiz-Atil.
The 18-year-old midfielder was handed his first-team debut at the Parc des Princes by the German boss and is held in high regard as a potential star for the future. It has been reported that Chelsea made contact with the teenager’s entourage last summer but nothing came to fruition.
However, the Blues are now keen to reignite their interest in Ruiz-Atil following the appointment of Tuchel. It is understood that Chelsea could find themselves in a stronger negotiating position this time around if they do decide to go back in the market for the youngster.
Ruiz-Atil’s contract at PSG is due to expire at the end of the season and talks over an extension have hit the roadblock. The midfielder made 7 appearances in Ligue 1 earlier in the campaign, with all of them coming prior to the sacking of Tuchel in mid-December.
However, the Frenchman has been sent back to train with the U-19s by new manager Mauricio Pochettino. That comes as a massive setback for Ruiz-Atil, who is apparently looking for a clear pathway to the first-team team. As a result, the teenager is reluctant to commit his future at the French capital.
Meanwhile, Chelsea already have a plethora of talent in their midfield. Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech, Kai Havertz and Jorginho are currently competing for places in the middle.
The futures of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek remain up in the air after the England pair was shipped out on loan by Frank Lampard this past summer.
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The Blues already have up and coming midfielders like Billy Gilmour and Tino Anjorin looking to establish themselves in the senior set-up at Stamford Bridge. Hence, it remains to be seen how Tuchel integrates Ruiz-Atil into his plans if Chelsea do make a move to sign him on a free transfer.