How Kylian Mbappe helps Tuchel make £133m January transfer call that solves Chelsea problems
Following Romelu Lukaku’s comments in his interview with Sky Italia divided opinion among the Chelsea fanbase, with many either calling for his exit, an apology or something in-between.
Having rocked the boat in the terraces at Stamford Bridge, Cobham, and social media, the Blues’ record signing responded via club media to clear the air.
But according to Football London, the overriding response was that actions speak louder than words, and Chelsea fans demanded performances from the Belgian if he had any chance of salvaging a relationship, let alone a legacy, in west London.
Although the night is still young and Lukaku still has his best chances of reigniting a bond with the Blues ahead of him, a door has opened for Marina Granovskaia that could see Chelsea finally secure one of their summer targets.
However, according to The Sun, Lukaku has emerged as a shock target for Paris Saint-Germain as the French side look to prepare for Kylian Mbappe’s potential departure.
The French striker was famously pictured pointing at a Chelsea shirt with ‘Kylian 10’ on the back when he was younger after a trial at the club. His current deal at Les Parc des Princes expires at the end of the summer.
And with the 23-year-old yet to pen a new deal in the French capital, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has reportedly begun their search for a new talisman.
The report claims that PSG would be willing to table as much as €90 million (£75m) for Lukaku, despite Chelsea having lured the Belgian to Stamford Bridge in the summer for £97.5 million.
If Roman Abramovich gave PSG’s offer the green light, the Russian would potentially be losing almost £20 million.
However, the gulf in evaluations between either club can be transformed into a positive for Chelsea; Granovskaia could use the differential to secure summer target, Achraf Hakimi.
Chelsea announced their interest in Hakimi, who can operate on either flank, last summer before tabling a £56.1million fee, according to Sky Sports – an offer which PSG soon matched.
Inter Milan then reportedly knocked back the offer before the French side flexed their muscles, paid £58.4 million and eventually tied the Moroccan down to a five-year deal.
While a player plus cash deal may be difficult to engineer, especially with an exchange that works in Chelsea’s favour, PSG’s interest in Lukaku and their potential panic regarding how they compensate for Mbappe’s exit could leave the door open for Granovskaia to pull off a deal.