The Blues are confident of signing Jules Kounde in the upcoming transfer window, after failing to prise him away from Sevilla last year – as per 90MIN. Chelsea are in dire need of central defenders, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave the club.
The Blues were believed to be in advanced negotiations with the Spanish side for the French centre-back late in the summer 2021 window, only for the deal to break down at the eleventh hour due to a change in the specifics.
Sevilla’s sporting director, Monchi, confirmed the same back then, claiming that Chelsea’s offer – believed to be in the region of 50 million euros – did not satisfy their demands. Kounde, who signed for the Andalusian club from Bordeaux for 25 million back in 2019, is currently valued at 60 million by Transfermarkt.
“There was a club that he liked, which was Chelsea. The first and only formal offer did not satisfy our desires and was conditional on Chelsea selling a player. It was an important offer, considering the current world where there are so many hardships, but it did not meet our demands, conditions, or quantities.”
Monchi revealed in an interview.
The player himself is reportedly keen to make the switch, just as he was last summer. The club has informed the player that he will be among their top priorities this summer, but any deal – Kounde or otherwise – hinges on the club’s takeover going through in time. As it stands, Chelsea are unable to negotiate new or old contracts, which has left them in a precarious situation.
Kounde, who is nearing 130 appearances for Sevilla, could end up replacing one of Andreas Christensen or Antonio Rudiger at Stamford Bridge. Both the player are on their way out, with the Dane closing in on a free transfer to Barcelona while the German to Real Madrid.
Additionally, Cesar Apzilicueta’s future is in doubt, too, leaving the Blues with a massive defensive rebuild this summer.
