Chelsea have ramped up their interest in Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule, according to reports.
Thomas Tuchel is said to hold a good relationship with Sule, having admired the centre back from afar, and Private Proxies Usa any potential deal would cost Chelsea around £30million.
The Athletic have claimed that Sule features high up on Chelsea's shortlist of potential options to improve their backline.
Chelsea have reportedly ramped up their interest in Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule
Sule's future in Bavaria is increasingly uncertain with members of Bayern's hierarchy holding doubts over him.
The off-field fallout from Hansi Flick revealing he will step away at the end of the season has also complicated the situation with contracts.
The same report says that conversations at Chelsea over Sule have 'increased in recent weeks' with the Germany international a long-standing target.
Thomas Tuchel is keen to bring in a new centre back this summer with Sule a potential target
Sule, 25, has just over one-year left on his deal and there are believed to have been no discussions held as yet over an extension.
Chelsea's backline has notably become stronger since Tuchel's arrival in January following the sacking of Frank Lampard.
The centre of defence still concerns the tactician, however, with the majority of his current choices all dogged by lingering question marks.
Thiago Silva can trigger a one-year option to extend his deal in west London but is still to do so, while the terms for Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are also running down.
Sule's future at Bayern is unclear with members of the club doubting he will be able to step up
Sule, therefore, is deemed by Chelsea as a strong candidate that may brought in over the coming months.
The departures of Jerome Boateng and David Alaba will free up competition for Sule at his current club - although there are some who believe the former Hoffenheim stalwart is not ready to make the step up.
His form and fitness have been savaged at times throughout his time with the Bundesliga champions and Sule is said to have felt a lack of support over this.
But despite the unclear situation, Sule has been credited as feeling 'relaxed' and is aware that there will be no shortage of interest should he be shown the exit door.