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Chelsea have four key defenders out of contract next summer and the club are reportedly in the market for new signings.

Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen and captain Cesar Azpilicueta will all, as it stands, become free agents in the summer of 2022, but Blues chiefs are hopeful of tying down all four players to new deals.

Rudiger is one of Chelsea's best player but he may not be at the club next season
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Rudiger is one of Chelsea's best player but he may not be at the club next seasonCredit: Getty
Silva's deal is also up at the end of the year
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Silva's deal is also up at the end of the yearCredit: Getty

Rudiger is attempting to become one of the highest paid player at the club, but he is most likely to leave and a host of top sides interested in the Germany international.

Real Madrid are leading the race to sign the 28-year-old, who's made his name as one of the top defenders in Europe ever since Tuchel took charge in January.

He helped the Blues become European champions last summer and has also played a key role in their bright start to this term, though the club's form has stumbled slightly in recent weeks.

Christensen has become truly elite under Tuchel's stewardship
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Christensen has become truly elite under Tuchel's stewardship

A new long-term deal for Christensen has taken its time but is looking likely and an extension for veteran Silva is also seemingly in the pipeline.

The Brazilian has been superb ever since he signed for the club on a free transfer from PSG last summer when Frank Lampard was in charge and he is seemingly content with extending his stay in west London.

Captain Azpilicueta, 32, remains a key figure in Tuchel's squad but it's understood an extension is not a priority and he's been linked with a switch to his homeland next summer, with Barcelona said to be interested in signing him for free.

De Ligt, meanwhile, is also a target for Chelsea, who are keen to sign ball-playing centre-backs
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De Ligt, meanwhile, is also a target for Chelsea, who are keen to sign ball-playing centre-backsCredit: GETTY
De Ligt joined Juventus from Ajax in 2019 for a huge £67.5m fee
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De Ligt joined Juventus from Ajax in 2019 for a huge £67.5m feeCredit: GETTY

With the quartet out of contract next summer, Blues chiefs have been forced to scour the market for options and two big names have been mooted as targets.

Most stronly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge is Juventus defender Matthijs De Ligt - and his agent, Mino Raiola, has given the strongest indication that the Dutchman could be on the move soon

"(De Ligt) is ready for a new step… he thinks that too," he told Dutch newspaper NRC.

De Ligt's form in general for the Serie A giants has been questionable, though.

The Old Lady have struggled so far this term and on occasion, he has been relegated to the bench by Max Allegri, though his displays have improved in recent matches.

The Netherlands defender has a release clause of £103m, which will become active at the end of the season.

Should Chelsea choose to meet that release clause, it will break their transfer record, which stands at the £97.5m fee paid for Romelu Lukaku to Inter in the summer.

Kounde is regarded as one of France's top up-and-coming defenders
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Kounde is regarded as one of France's top up-and-coming defendersCredit: Getty
He recently won the UEFA Nations League with France and it's said he wants to leave Sevilla
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He recently won the UEFA Nations League with France and it's said he wants to leave SevillaCredit: GETTY

Sevilla's Jules Kounde, whose move to Stamford Bridge fell through in the summer due to a breakdown in negotiations, is another one of the top priorities.

The France defender, who won the UEFA Nations League with Les Bleus overin October, is seen as one of the brightest young talents in European football, having become known for his calmness on the ball and assertiveness at the back.

The Blues wanted the centre-back but were not prepared to pay his £68m buyout clause and the Spanish club were reluctant to sell even with now-West Ham ace Kurt Zouma offered as part of the negotiations to bring down the fee.

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It's believed the Spanish club would allow the player to leave for a fee of £45m- £50m, less than what they demanded in the summer - but Man United are also keen to sign the 23-year-old.

But how could the Blues look with the two defenders in their ranks next summer? Find out, below...

Chelsea's line-up with De Ligt and Kounde looks very strong
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Chelsea's line-up with De Ligt and Kounde looks very strong

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