Chelsea ‘open talks’ with Sevilla over potential signing of French defender Jules Kounde with Thomas Tuchel making the £68m rated player his ‘prime defensive target’
- Chelsea have made Sevilla defender Jules Kounde their main defensive target
- The 22-year-old Frenchman has impressed for the LaLiga side in recent seasons
- His performances has attracted the interest of a number of English clubs
- Kounde has a £68m release clause though Chelsea might look to reduce the fee
Chelsea have reportedly joined the race to sign highly valued Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer.
The 22-year-old defender has become one of the most sought after centre-backs in world football after impressing for the LaLiga side in recent seasons.
Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham have all been linked with the player who has a £68m release clause.
Sevilla defender Jules Kounde has been made Chelsea’s ‘prime defensive target’
Thomas Tuchel is looking to improve his options going into his first full season with Chelsea
Now according to the Guardian, Chelsea have made Kounde their prime defensive target this summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were not heavily expected to go for a centre-back this summer, with a top striker said to be their priority.
The German manager already has a string of players who can play the position including Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.
It now appears they look to bring Kounde but it is likely they will look to get him for cheaper than the release clause.
The Frenchman is said to be open to join Chelsea this summer, as he looks for another team who are in the Champions League.
Sevilla have made the Champions League by their fourth place finish in LaLiga but by moving to Chelsea he would move to a team that has just recently won the competition.
Kounde and Chelsea came up against each other in the Champions League last season
The side like others in Spain are currently going through financial difficulties, potentially handing Chelsea an advantage during negotiations.
It’s said that one option would be for Emerson Palmieri to go the other way as part of a swap deal.
Chelsea have already made money by selling two defenders this summer, with Fikayo Tomori joining AC Milan for £30m and Marc Guehi moving to Crystal Palace in a deal that could reach £20m.
Rudiger and Christensen both have one year left on their deals while Zouma could look to leave after falling down the pecking order since Tuchel’s arrival.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have just one year left on their current deals
Advertisement