Chelsea handed boost in Jules Kounde pursuit

Jules Kounde wants to leave Sevilla in the summer, thus boosting Chelsea’s hopes of signing him amid a defensive crisis at Stamford Bridge.

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea’s pursuit of Jules Kounde has been boosted by the defender’s insistence on leaving Sevilla in the summer. The Frenchman wants a new challenge, with the Blues interested in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.

Thomas Tuchel wanted to strengthen his Champions League-winning squad last summer and turn them into Premier League title contenders. One of the key areas of focus was central defence, as the German boss urged the club to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

Chelsea had conversations with the Spanish giants but were reluctant to pay the player’s release clause worth a reported £68 million. Sevilla insisted on the demand and refused to budge down, leading to him staying put in Andalusia. Having remained at the club, Kounde has continued to be a key part of Julen Lopetegui’s squad, helping them push for a top-three finish in La Liga.

But a move to Chelsea could be back on the agenda for Kounde in the upcoming summer transfer window as the Blues find themselves in a bit of a crisis situation with regard to their defensive personnel.

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Antonio Rudiger is all set for a move to Real Madrid as Chelsea were unable make a new contract offer to the defender due to their ongoing sanctions. The German has become the most important centre-back for Tuchel and his departure will leave a huge void in their backline.

There is also the imminent departure of Andreas Christensen, who has an agreement with Barcelona. So, Chelsea’s potential new owners will be under pressure to replace the two players. Buying a top-notch central defender is no mean task these days and will come at a significant cost for the west London club.

Whether the new owners sanction such funds only for the backline remains to be seen, as the club have other areas to focus such as a new striker and midfielders. As for the centre-back department, Chelsea still have their sights on Kounde, with Sevilla set to demand a fee close to €65 million from suitors for the 23-year-old.

Moreover, Kounde, who was keen on joining Chelsea last summer, has reportedly told the club of his desire to depart in the close season. It certainly boosts the Blues’ chances of landing the centre-back, although the final fee agreement will be key to finalising the transfer.

Kounde will have two years left on his contract at Sevilla in the summer, which could prompt the club into selling, especially when they can get good value for their asset. Whether Chelsea could pull off a transfer remains the question, considering the sanctions are still in place.