According to sources, Chelsea are close to signing Jules Kounde, with the defender eager on a move to Stamford Bridge.
Last season, the Blues attempted to sign the Sevilla centre-back but were unsuccessful. They've rekindled their interest as Thomas Tuchel plans to start spending this summer ahead of Todd Boehly's arrival in west London. Chelsea's desire to reinforce their defensive options has grown as a result of a defensive exodus, and they are ready to move soon.
According to The Sun, Kounde is anxious to transfer to the Premier League and feels he would be the club's first option in the backline. That's because Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who are both out of contract, have left the team. The Blues were barred from negotiating new contracts with their players due to the sanctions imposed on them.
Sevilla are willing to wait for the £68 million release clause in the Frenchman's contract to be activated. They accept, however, that the centre-back is searching for a new challenge, and negotiations with sporting director Monchi are being arranged so that the two parties can come to an agreement.
The LaLiga club has qualified for the Champions League, therefore there is no pressing need to sell their star players. However, with Kounde's departure seemingly inescapable, they would prefer to sell to a foreign club rather than a domestic rival, with Barcelona also interested.
In the next months, Chelsea and Tuchel may lose Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta. The former is linked with a move back to Spain, while the club's captain is contemplating his own future. It would leave the Blues with Thiago Silva as their manager, as well as teenagers like Trevoh Chalobah.
Jules Kounde wants to join Chelsea.
Boehly, the club's potential new owner, has given Tuchel a £200 million budget in order for him to have an instant effect at Stamford Bridge. The American, who also owns the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball, will succeed Roman Abramovich. Chelsea's new owners, according to Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston, are "sure of a bright future."
"Late last night (Tuesday), the UK Government reached a position where we could grant a licence that enables the sale of Chelsea Football Club," a government spokesman said. Following Roman Abramovich's sanction, the government has worked hard to ensure that Chelsea Football Club may continue to play football. However, we have always been clear that the club's long-term future could only be assured with a new owner. We are now confident that the entire revenues of the sale will not benefit Roman Abramovich or any other sanctioned individual after rigorous research."
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