PSG boss Christophe Galtier says Presnel Kimpembe & himself have been ‘laughing’ at rumours linking him to other clubs
New PSG manager Christophe Galtier has rubbished rumours linking Presnel Kimpembe with a move away from the club this summer.
Kimpembe, 26, has two years left on his current deal at the Parc des Princes and has seen his name heavily associated with several elite clubs this transfer window, including Chelsea, who recently completed the signing of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £33m.
Thomas Tuchel is thought to want to strengthen his centre-back options further following the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen earlier in the summer, and Kimpembe has emerged as a potential candidate to fill one of those voids at Stamford Bridge.
Despite the heavy rumours, recently-appointed Galtier, who succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in the Parisian hotseat earlier this month, has been quick to pour cold water on suggestions the academy star could leave the French capital this summer.
He told L’Equipe: “I’ve read everything been said about Kimpembe. We even laughed about it together.
“I like him – he’s a great centre-back but what will happen, I don’t know.”
Rumours of Kimpembe leaving for west London have started to gain traction after Chelsea missed out on bringing Nathan Ake back to the club from Manchester City, while Jules Kounde remains a long-term target and Matthijs de Ligt is now reportedly in the crosshairs of Bayern Munich.
Chairman Todd Boehly has been determined to offer Tuchel the resources he needs to make Chelsea competitive next term, already recruiting Koulibaly from Napoli and capturing Raheem Sterling from City for just shy of £50m. The club also convinced promising Arsenal teenager Omari Hutchinson to relocate across London earlier this week.
With Rudiger, Christensen and Romelu Lukaku all having already left, the latter on loan to Inter, Chelsea are expected to be busy in the coming weeks ahead of their curtain-raising Premier League fixture against Everton at Goodison Park on August 6.
