Chelsea given obvious transfer solution if Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leave

CHELSEA could be in the transfer market for at least one centre-back if two of their current crop leave during the summer.

In pictures: Chelsea v Tottenham

Chelsea may have stumbled across a perfect transfer opportunity, with the threat of two summer departures hanging over their defence. Both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are steaming towards the end of their contracts, and signing at least one replacement will be a high priority if the duo call time on their respective stints in west London. 

The Blues have had to invest plenty of time into renewing contracts this season, particularly in defence. 

Thankfully for boss Thomas Tuchel, the age-defying Thiago Silva has decided to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge. 

But the aforementioned duo, along with Cesar Azpilicueta, could all leave for free in the summer unless they pen new deals. 

Defensive solidity is seen as one of the Blues' strong points, and even in light of their poor results in recent weeks, they maintain the third-best defensive record in the Premier League. 

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Antonio Rudiger Andreas Christensen

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are both into the final six months of their Chelsea deals (Image: GETTY)

If two high-profile centre-backs like Rudiger and Christensen were to depart, they would certainly need at least one talented player to fill the void. 

A player who should be, and perhaps already is, on their radar is Bayern Munich's Niklas Sule. 

Particularly after Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn confirmed that the German is set to find a new challenge at the end of the campaign. 

"The negotiations were long. We made him an offer. Süle didn't accept it," he said.

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"We know that Niklas wants to leave the club at the end of the season."

Since January 1, the 37-cap Germany international has been at liberty to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of his homeland. 

According to Bild, Chelsea are one of the clubs keeping tabs on Sule, along with mega-rich Newcastle and European giants Barcelona

The Blues would be wise to make a move for the 26-year-old given that they would not have to worry about a transfer fee - something made more important by the fact that both Rudiger and Christensen could leave for free. 

Niklas Sule

Niklas Sule's four-and-a-half years stint with Bayern Munich could soon come to an end (Image: GETTY)

Since switching from Hoffenheim in 2017, Sule has won four consecutive Bundesliga titles in Bavaria, as well as two German Cups and a Champions League. 

Injuries marred his 2019/20 campaign, limiting him to just eight league appearances, but he has been virtually ever-present under Julian Nagelsmann this term. 

At 6ft 5in tall and deceptively quick, much like Rudiger, Tuchel could eye up Sule to become a part of his famed back three. 

And if Chelsea could kick off their enforced defensive reshuffle by striking a free transfer agreement before the hustle and bustle of the summer window gets going, it could stand them in good stead to come out of the other end unscathed. 

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