Why Chelsea chased RB Leipzig defender – and what that tells you about their transfer targets

Chelsea’s interest in Marcel Halstenberg looks to have been shelved for now after the RB Leipzig defender agreed a contact extension.

The German club announced this afternoon that the experienced left back, who can also slot into the centre, had added two years to his deal, which was set to expire this month.

𝗛𝗔𝗟𝗦𝗧𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗬𝗜𝗡𝗚!

RB Leipzig and Marcel Halstenberg have agreed on a two-year contract extension ✍️

🔴⚪ #WeAreLeipzig

— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) June 6, 2022

The German team picked up Halstenberg from St Pauli way back in 2015, and he was a regular ever since, picking up 7 caps for Germany along the way.

He seemed like a good buy for Chelsea because he could provide cover at left back and centre back at the same time. But Leipzig know their assets, and they’ve tied him down, leaving us to look elsewhere.

It’s clear why Tuchel would have liked him – that versatility would have meant he could cover for Ben Chilwell, allowing the club to sell Marcos Alonso and possibly Emerson Palmieri too, as well as fill in for the departing central defenders.

Maybe we should see this as a sign for future targets this summer.