Chelsea are already planning for the summer transfer window and want to go after their long term target Jules Kounde. That is according to Fabrizio Romano. The Blues failed to get the deal done this summer but they will be returning for their man.
The France international has been a regular fixture in the Sevilla team this season. He has 25 appearances in all competitions so far and scored once. Kounde also made one appearance for France at last summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.
The London club will be more likely to get their man this time around. According to reports, Sevilla’s transfer activity has boosted Chelsea’s chances of signing the defender.
CHELSEA CONFIDENT IN KOUNDE DEAL
As things stand, Chelsea are set to lose Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger when their contracts expire on July 1.
Azpilicueta has been courted by FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana have reportedly offered him a 2 year deal with an additional year as an option. Christensen is also under the radar of Barca and Bayern Munich. While Rudiger is a target of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.
Chelsea will try to renew their contracts, but if things go south they need to be in the market. Chelsea aren’t willing to take any risks and are planning on going after Kounde regardless of contract talks.
Sevilla director of football Monchi is known to drive a hard bargain and he is in a strong position, with Kounde under contract until June 2024.
Chelsea went with a bid of £50 million for Kounde in the summer but the Spanish side insisted that his release clause of £68.7 million (€80 million) be paid in full.
According to Marca, Chelsea are confident of striking a deal this time. Sevilla had already lined up a replacement for Kounde. It is Luiz Felipe of Lazio. The Brazilian centre-back’s contract is also expiring in June.
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