Chelsea target Presnel Kimpembe will need some convincing to leave Paris Saint-German this summer due to his connection with the French club.
Thomas Tuchel wants to sign three new defenders and has identified Kimpembe as a target to add to impending deals for Kalidou Koulibaly and Nathan Ake.
Tuchel worked with Kimpembe at PSG and the French club are thought to be open to selling the France international, who could cost up to £50m.
But Kimpembe will need to be persuaded to leave PSG, where he came through the ranks after joining the club aged 10 and made his debut as a 19-year-old in 2014.
Koulibaly is due to join up with the Chelsea squad on their pre-season tour in American in the next 24 hours as he closes in on a £33m move from Napoli.
The 31-year-old Senegal international has agreed a four-year contract and underwent a medical in London last night.
Koulibaly could be followed by the signing of Nathan Ake from Manchester City
The Blues have agreed a deal in principle to sign Ake for around £45m but are waiting for City to sign a replacement before they give the 27-year-old the green light to leave.
Chelsea need to rebuild their defence after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
They could also go into the new season without Cesar Azpilicueta, who has agreed terms on a two-year deal to join Barcelona and is waiting for the Catalan club to stump up a £7m transfer fee to sign him.
Tuchel had identified Matthijs de Ligt as his top defensive target but, after it became clear the Juventus centre-back wants to join Bayern Munich, Chelsea have accelerated a move for Koulibaly.
