CHELSEA target Presnel Kimpembe has asked Paris Saint-Germain to let him explore his options, according to reports.
But the Blues would face competition from Juventus for the defender.
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According to the Sunday Times, Kimpembe made the special request to the Ligue 1 champions and even held talks with Chelsea.
He has been with PSG since 2005, coming through the youth academy, but appears keen to see if his future could lie away from the Parc des Princes.
The club would be content to keep Kimpembe – but would also welcome offers of around £60million.
The left-footed centre-half, 26, has racked up 221 first-team appearances and 13 trophies as well as a Champions League runner-up medal.
He also won the World Cup with France in 2018, making him a high-quality central defender with bags of trophy-winning experience.
That is why Chelsea have continually been linked with him throughout the summer transfer window.
Thomas Tuchel is still on the hunt for another centre-back after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on frees.
He brought in Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli but the £55m deal for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde could be set to collapse after Barcelona made a last-ditch swoop.
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Eder Militao signed a new contract at Real Madrid with a whopping £425m release clause, leaving Kimpembe as one of the few targets remaining.
However, the Blues face competition from Juventus for the Frenchman.
It is understood the Italian side have also been in talks with him over a possible transfer.