Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Niklas Sule, Top Rumours

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is reportedly planning another approach for Hoffenheim centre-back Niklas Sule. Conte and the Blues are said to have tried to sign Germany international Sule in the summer, but retain hope a deal can be struck during the winter transfer window.

ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke revealed Conte is still keen on the 21-year-old defender. He noted how Sule heads a long list of central defenders Conte is considering ahead of the January window: "A number of names, including Burnley's Michael Keane, Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson and Roma's Antonio Rudiger, have been linked with moves to Chelsea, but Sule is seen as Chelsea's top target."

However, O'Rourke has pointed out how Chelsea won't be alone in trying to talk Hoffenheim into a sale. Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich also figure to be in the mix for the impressive defender.

Yet it's Chelsea who could have the greater motivation to make a deal happen. O'Rourke pinpointed one aspect of Sule's role at Hoffenheimthat is sure to make him a good fit for Conte's plans at Stamford Bridge: "Sule has impressed for high-flying Hoffenheim this season and has been playing in a back three similar to that employed by Chelsea which makes him an even more attractive proposition to Conte following his successful switch to a 3-4-3 system at Stamford Bridge."

Sule makes sense as a target for any top club in Europe, as well as a Premie League title-chaser such as Chelsea. He's a physically imposing and cultured defender, one who boasts the brawn and strength to dominate in the air, but also the technique to be a useful player on the deck.

He's athletic enough to play on either side of a back three. Yet he also has the smarts and skills to operate in the playmaking central position.

Sule impressed for Germany during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the summer. He displayed toughness as a tackler and composure in possession while helping his country reach the final and eventually claim a silver medal.

It's no wonder he became the subject of transfer interest during the summer window. In fact, the player's agent, Karlheinz Forster, told German publication Bild (h/t Stephan Uersfeld of ESPN FC) Chelsea had made an approach and also let it be known they'd try again: "Yes, there was interest. The English have made it clear they'll still be interested next year."

The latest rumours suggest Conte and Chelsea will be true to their word. Indeed, they are right to test Hoffenheim's resolve for a second time. After all, age and questionable form make Conte's options at centre-back suspect.

Skipper John Terry is 35, while Gary Cahill is 30 and Branislav Ivanovic is 32. The latter can play either centre-back or full-back, but has emerged as a possible target for Serie A side Juventus, per Italian source La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Bruce Archer of the Daily Express).

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Meanwhile, Terry has indicated he wants to play for two more years, even if it means leaving Chelsea, according to an interview with SFR Sport (h/t the Daily Mirror's Joe Mewis).

Now seems like the perfect time for Conte to accelerate his plans to freshen up the central defensive positions. Signing a young defender with Sule's quality and potential would be a perfect start.