It might not all be smooth sailing for Chelsea in their pursuit of Jules Kounde. Reports earlier claimed that the Blues were looking to agree a player plus cash deal with Sevilla, Kurt Zouma being the player in question. However, the Frenchman has his eyes set elsewhere.
According to Daily Mail, West Ham United are interested in signing Zouma. The Hammers are preparing a 20 million pounds move for the Frenchman, although Chelsea view his price close to the 25 million mark. The player’s priority, however, is to continue in London and not go to Seville instead.
Nevertheless, Zouma’s unwillingness to be a part of the swap deal is unlikely to hinder Chelsea in their attempts to sign Kounde. The Athletic reports that Chelsea’s interest in Kounde is long-standing and that the club is willing to do what it takes to sign the player this summer.
To that end, the Blues have offered players to Sevilla – including Emerson Palmieri and Zouma – to lower their asking price.
Kounde has an 80 million euros release clause in his current contract at Sevilla, which comes to around 68 million pounds. Reports so far haven’t indicated whether Chelsea are willing to trigger it directly in order to avoid negotiations.
What remains clear is that Kounde is Chelsea’s key target for the central defense, having previously contemplated moves for Jose Maria Gimenez, Ibrahima Konate, and Niklas Sule.
Kounde joined Sevilla in a club-record fee from Bordeaux back in 2018, and in the two years since, he has established himself as one of the finest players in his position. Manchester City were keen to sign the Frenchman last summer, while Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in the player is still fresh.
