Chelsea have three-man contingency shortlist because of Christensen and Rudiger fears
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Chelsea have made alternative transfer arrangements in case defensive duo Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger do not sign new contracts. The pair have both entered the final year of their deals and the Blues have earmarked three centre-back targets who could be signed as replacements.
Both players featured in the Blues’ Champions League final victory and have become important members of the first-team squad.
Rudiger started the European showdown against Manchester City and was involved in the incident which saw City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne taken off the pitch on a stretcher.
Christensen was a first-half substitute for Thiago Silva and came on to have an impact on the match.
Both players preserved a clean sheet for the west Londoners as they won 1-0 thanks to Kai Havertz’s goal at the end of the opening period.
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However, Chelsea could lose the pair if their contract situations are not resolved.
Both deals expire in the summer of 2022 and the players will be able to speak to potential suitors in January ahead of a free transfer at the end of the campaign.
Neither player are close to agreeing fresh terms and Chelsea have made identified three players who could be signed as replacements, according to Goal.com.
Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is a potential option, as is Bayern centre-back Niklas Sule.
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Chelsea could also reportedly target Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane, who is locked in a lengthy transfer saga between the Spanish club and Manchester United.
But the Blues could also join the race for the Frenchman if they decide that they do not want to risk losing either Christensen or Rudiger for free.
Boss Thomas Tuchel is planning to make at least one or two signings to help him lift the club back among the contenders for the Premier League title.
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Chelsea’s European success was not matched quite as well by their domestic exploits.
Tuchel replaced the sacked Frank Lampard in late January with them in ninth and just about squeezed a top-four finish, despite a defeat by Aston Villa on the final day.
They would have qualified for the Champions League regardless due to their victory over City.
Chelsea are widely believed to want to sign a striker this summer to make up for their frequent misfiring last term.
Their £47million signing Timo Werner struggled for form and scored just six goals in the Premier League.
The top league scorer was midfielder Jorginho, whose seven strikes all came from the penalty spot.
Chelsea have been linked with a huge £150m transfer for Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland, while Robert Lewandowski has also been touted as a possible target.
A deal for Haaland might be difficult to achieve this summer but the Blues could strike an agreement in 2022 when a £64m release clause become’s active in the Norwegian’s contract.
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