{"id":584693,"date":"2021-02-23T06:23:47","date_gmt":"2021-02-23T11:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=584693"},"modified":"2021-02-23T06:23:47","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T11:23:47","slug":"chelsea-set-to-open-talks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/02\/23\/chelsea-set-to-open-talks\/","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea Step Up Niklas Sule Pursuit as Bayern Munich Negotiations Stall"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea<\/a> are set to step up their pursuit of Bayern Munich<\/a> defender Niklas Sule as the German’s contract renewal talks with the German club have stalled.<\/p>\n

Chelsea to Step Up Niklas Sule Pursuit<\/h2>\n

Bayern Executive Hints at Departure<\/h3>\n

Sule’s contract expires at the end of summer 2022, meaning he could be allowed to leave on a free transfer at the end of next season. This has alerted clubs all around Europe, including Chelsea.<\/p>\n

Bayern Munich executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hinted to Bild<\/a> that he would like to keep Sule at the club, but only under certain conditions.<\/p>\n

“If we find a solution, we are generally ready to extend the contract, but that will only be possible under certain conditions. Talks are now being held, then we’ll see what results they will lead to.”<\/p>\n

It’s widely assumed that the “certain conditions” is a financial reference. Bayern have just secured the signing of Dayot Upamecano<\/a> for \u00a337 million, and are expected to do more business in the summer.<\/p>\n

This leaves Bayern in a very similar situation to the one they found themselves in with David Alaba<\/a>. The Austrian announced he would be leaving the club for free this summer after they failed to agree on a contract extension.<\/p>\n

As well run a club as Bayern are, it’s far from ideal in the current climate to lose two valuable central defenders for free.<\/p>\n

Centre-Backs at a Premium<\/h3>\n

The report linking Chelsea with a move for Sule comes from AZ<\/a> in Germany, who believe new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel<\/a> is very interested in bringing his compatriot to Stamford Bridge. If Sule were to make the move to West London, he’d become the fourth German in the squad.<\/p>\n

A move for the 25-year-old is also plausible this summer, just not for free. With only one year left on the contract though, it would be possible to sign him for a reduced fee.<\/p>\n

Centre-backs are likely to be the focus for many top European sides this summer. Manchester United<\/a> and Liverpool<\/a> are expected to be in the market for top defenders, along with Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and others. This makes someone like Niklas Sule a very important figure in the coming transfer windows.<\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>