How Chelsea could line up next season with Romelu Lukaku and Jules Kounde after £170m transfer splurge

CHELSEA are reportedly interested in signing Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku and Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

The Blues are hoping to strengthen their squad this summer as they look to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.

If Chelsea can lure ex-star Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge, he would undoubtedly be their first-choice striker.

The Belgium international failed to score during his three-year spell at the Blues, spending two seasons on loan at West Brom and Everton.

But Lukaku has since become one of the most formidable strikers in Europe, scoring 24 Serie A goals last term to fire Inter to the title.

And he is thought to be keen on a move back to the Premier League as he believes he has unfinished business in England.

Chelsea are reportedly after a new No9 after German forward Timo Werner managed just six Premier League goals last term.

The Blues have also been linked with Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland and Bayern Munich ace Robert Lewandowski.

I will perhaps have to change clubs this summer... My goal is to play at a big club to try to always progress and to win trophies.

Jules Kounde

The West London club are also believed to be closing in on signing Kounde, 22, who was part of France's squad for Euro 2020.

The defender, rated at £68million, has helped Sevilla achieve consecutive fourth-place finishes in LaLiga and won the Europa League in 2020.

Kounde could play alongside Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta in a back three, although manager Thomas Tuchel has other options.

Along with the aforementioned, Chelsea have Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Ethan Ampadu on their books.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy is likely to retain his place in front of the defence after a stellar debut season, ahead of Kepa Arrizabalaga.

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Playing a back three would allow Tuchel to deploy Reece James and Ben Chilwell at wing-back, with Inter reportedly interested in Marcos Alonso.

Jorginho and N'Golo Kante are likely to remain Chelsea's first-choice pair in midfield, with Mateo Kovacic also in contention.

And the Blues have a number of attacking midfielders to choose from, including Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Christian Pulisic.

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