Transfer News: Chelsea to focus on Niklas Sule as talks intensify

According to transfer news from The Athletic (subscription required), Chelsea are set to go after Niklas Sule. The Blues are looking to take advantage of the Bayern Munich defender’s situation at the club and are ramping up efforts to sign him.

Chelsea and Tuchel are said to be after a new centre-back as they look to refresh their defensive options for next season. The club have relied on the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva and Kurt Zouma this season.

UEFA Champions League SS Lazio VS Bayern Muenchen – 2021/02/23 ROME, ITALY, FEB 23: Niklas Sule of Bayern München in action during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Lazio Roma and Bayern München at Olimpico Stadium on February 23, 2021 in Rome, Italy. Bayern München won the match 4-1.

Fikayo Tomori was sent out on loan to AC Milan after being deprived of opportunities. It is understandable that Chelsea would want to go for another solid defender, with Tuchel reverting to a three-man defence. Add to that, Silva and Azpilicueta are ageing and will need to be replaced soon.

The Blues have shortlisted Bayern’s Niklas Sule as a potential option. They are hoping to take advantage of his contract situation at the club. His current deal is set to end in 2022 and there have been no talks of an extension. However, Bayern have been too occupied with Hansi Flick’s request to leave the club and other internal issues.

FOOTBALL : Bayern Munich vs Olympique Lyonnais – 1/2 – Phase finale – UEFA Ligue des Champions – Final 8 – Lisbonne – 19/08/2020 LISBON, PORTUGAL – AUGUST 19: David Alaba of Bayern Munich L and Niklas Sule of Bayern Munich R walk out to warm up prior to the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final match between Olympique Lyonnais and Bayern Munich at Estadio Jose Alvalade on August 19, 2020 in Lisbon, Portugal.

There is another reason that Sule is a feasible transfer target for Tuchel because Bayern still don’t feel that he is ready to step into the side as a first-choice. Defensive stalwarts David Alaba and Jerome Boateng are set to leave the club and Bayern are of the opinion that Sule is not an adequate replacement. There has also been criticism of the player, which further strengthens the aforementioned statement.

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Sule may be having his troubles at Bayern but he is still a talented defender who has the potential to shine. Chelsea should keep tabs on the situation and nab him from them if the situation remains the same. In case a new contract is not agreed to, Chelsea might just be able to land a bargain deal.