Chelsea start talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe as Levi Colwell set to leave

Chelsea are in negotiations to sign Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, according to reports.

The Athletic states that the Premier League club are looking to follow up the signing of Raheem Sterling – who joined from Manchester City on Wednesday afternoon – with the 26-year-old French international.

Chelsea are in the market for at least two central defenders after seeing both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger leave at the end of their contracts this summer.

They are reported to be close to the signing of 31-year-old Napoli Kalidou Koulibaly, and have been linked to Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Manchester City’s Nathan Ake. Althought De Ligt is reported to favour a move to German champions Bayern Munich.

Chelsea are looking to strengthen their squad following the takeover of the club by Todd Boehly. They have loaned striker Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan for next season after he grew unsettled at Stamford Bridge.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea could soon sell another defender, Levi Colwill, who has been attracting interest from other Premier League sides.

Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta are linked with moves to Barcelona.