Chelsea attempted to sign £85m PSG man in the summer

 

Chelsea attempted to bring Paris Saint-Germain star Marquinhos to Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window it has been revealed.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel worked with the Brazilian during his time as PSG boss, and it was well documented that the Blues were chasing a new central defender in the summer.

The west London club were strongly linked to Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, but refused to meet the La Liga club’s asking price.

Chelsea reportedly bid €50million for the France international, and also offered a swap deal involving Kurt Zouma before he was sold to West Ham.

However, according to French outlet RMC Sport, Tuchel was keen on signing Marquinhos.

If the 27-year-old had moved to the European champions he would not only be reunited with the German coach, but with compatriot Thiago Silva.

The two lined up together in defence for the Parisiens for seven years before Silva moved to Chelsea last summer.

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino views Marquinhos as a vital player and was therefore not interested in letting his captain leave the club.

This was despite Chelsea’s desire to sign the Brazil international, as they were willing to offer ‘up to £85m’ according to the Daily Mail.

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And by the end of the window, the Blues had failed to recruit a new central defender.

That has not stopped them from starting the 2021/22 campaign in relentless form, however.

On Sunday, Tuchel’s men were flawless in the second-half as they disposed of Spurs 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium although they struggled in the first 45 minutes of the match.