Transfer News: Chelsea likely keeping an eye on Manchester United target and RB Leipzig right-back Nordi Mukiele
According to Spanish publication Fichajes (h/t The Sun), Chelsea are likely keeping an eye on Manchester United target and RB Leipzig right-back Nordi Mukiele for a potential transfer in the future. He has excelled at his club since moving to the Bundesliga back in 2018, having earned a regular spot in a short time.
Man United have identified Mukiele as one of their top defensive targets in the summer transfer window. Ralf Rangnick is eager to secure the defender’s signature and has included him on a four-man shortlist. Moreover, Rangnick had signed the full-back in the first place when he was at Leipzig.
That being said, the Blues would probably enter the fray to facilitate a move for the 24-year-old. They had previously scouted him when the right-back was still at Montpellier. Unfortunately for us, a move never came to fruition as he joined the German side for a fee of £13.3million.
Mukiele to Chelsea?
Since joining the Bundesliga side, the Frenchman has made 136 appearances across all competitions and has scored ten goals alongside providing eight assists. He has raised his game over the past year or so and looks ready to take another leap in his playing career.
The Leipzig ace is highly versatile and can play as a right wing-back and even as a centre-back. Standing 187cm tall with a strong build, Mukiele is no pushover in defence and is a big part of his team’s backline at this moment. He can also be utilised on the left-hand side of the defence if and when needed.
We could use someone like the Bundesliga star in our team as he could potentially be a replacement for Cesar Azpilicueta. The skipper has less than six months left in his contract and is in line to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season. That could be a possibility with Barcelona apparently interested in his signature.
But we must not jump the gun as Chelsea are only said to be ‘likely‘ to keep an eye on proceedings regarding Mukiele, and the interest isn’t all that explicit as of now.
Then again, there is no smoke without fire and given our supposed interest in the player in the past, it’s really not a long shot to presume that the Blues would not have forgotten about the French defender altogether right now.
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Mukiele is a smart wing-back who has the know-how of playing in central defence. Seeing him go to a PL rival like Manchester United would certainly not be a pretty sight and hence, it would certainly be pleasant if Chelsea ever reignite their interest in the Leipzig star.