Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters has come into view for the Blues despite interest in Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries...CONTINUE READING
Chelsea has edged even closer to completing a deal for Brighton’s 24-year-old Spanish international left-back Marc Cucurella after the Blues have jumped well-ahead of Premier League holders Manchester City for the Seagulls’ standout performer of last season.
Personal terms between the Blues and Brighton have already been agreed upon, and the additive bonus of highly-touted center-back Levi Colwill moving in the other direction is said to be reserved for a separate negotiation in order to speed up the final steps regarding Cucurella.
Once a deal is finalized for the former Barcelona and Getafe defender, Chelsea is reportedly set to immediately transition into securing another right-back for tactician Thomas Tuchel.
The Stamford Bridge outfit has long been linked with interest in Inter Milan’s Dutch international Denzel Dumfries, who has shone since his arrival in Serie A last season after starring for PSV Eindhoven for three seasons after coming through the academy at Sparta Rotterdam and excelling during one season with SC Heerenveen.
Excl: Chelsea are considering many options for right-back position, to be discussed after Cucurella. Kyle Walker-Peters, one of the options alongside Denzel Dumfries #CFC
Dumfries top of the list but Inter want to keep him, still no bid.
Walker-Peters, discussed internally. pic.twitter.com/CcuOm33C1C— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 2, 2022
But with 5 goals and 5 assists in Serie A in 2021-22, Dumfries’ contributions show why Inter is intent on keeping the 26-year-old at the San Siro, which has caused Chelsea to turn towards Southampton’s England international Kyle Walker-Peters as a possible alternative per reports from transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.
Despite Dumfries topping Chelsea’s transfer wishlist which has been under the command of new co-owner Todd Boehly regarding much of the Blues’ summer business, Walker-Peters has quickly emerged as an option through internal discussions after the former Tottenham academy product has come to life at St. Mary’s Stadium under Ralph Hasenhüttl over the last two-and-a-half seasons.
Walker-Peters was subject to earlier interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United last month as both clubs looked to source possible solutions on the right side of the defense, with the data behind the 25-year-old’s performances last season (via fbref.com) showing a player that has become progressive when in possession while stout in defense.
Additionally, his tactical versatility could suit Chelsea to the ground given his ability to slot in at both right-back and left-back, which he has managed to do comfortably on the south coast.
Though it may cost Chelsea somewhere in the region of £40m for the England man, who is not guaranteed to earn minutes ahead of Cobham product and club star Reece James, he would offer excellent depth in quality and as good as number two option on either flank of the back line that you would see in the Premier League.
