Chelsea can use Bayern Munich hold-up to secure £68m Thiago Silva replacement

Chelsea could look to take advantage of Bayern Munich’s hold-up in appointing a new manager by swooping in and signing a Thiago Silva replacement.

Bayern are expected to hire Vincent Kompany as their new manager in due course, with the ex-Burnley boss having been identified as Thomas Tuchel’s replacement.

But the delay in getting Kompany’s appointment over the line may end up coming at a cost to the Bundesliga giant’s transfer plans, with Chelsea eyeing up one of the main summer targets.

It’s reported by Mundo Deportivo that Ronald Araujo is attracting fresh interest from Chelsea, having been subject to a big-money bid from Bayern during the previous winter transfer market.

The then Bayern boss Tuchel was reportedly keen on signing Araujo, with the German phoning the Barcelona defender to try and persuade him to join the club.

An initial bid in the region of £60million plus add-ons was submitted, before Bayern returned with an offer worth £68million instead.

Both submissions were laughed off by Barcelona, but the situation for the cash-strapped Spanish giant appears to have changed heading into the summer.

Araujo now has just two years left on his deal, meaning this summer could represent the last real chance Barcelona have of landing a fee in excess of £60million for one of their prized assets.

It is claimed in the report that Barcelona are pushing hard to get the Uruguayan international to sign a new deal, but they also recognise his hand – and theirs – could be tempted by a lucrative offer.

And few more destinations have proved more lucrative in recent years than Chelsea, with Todd Boehly and co. having sanctioned over £1billion worth of deals since taking charge in 2022.

What’s more, it’s suggested that Chelsea are set for another big summer transfer window, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the Blues hierarchy are willing to back new boss Enzo Maresca in the transfer market.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed Chelsea will enter the market for several players this summer, with defence listed among their key areas to improve.

Elsewhere, it’s claimed Chelsea will also be on the lookout for yet another goalkeeper addition, even though the Blues purchased two shot-stoppers last summer.

Both Robert Sanchez and Dorde Petrovic arrived at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, but neither has been able to tie down a permanent spot in the starting XI.