Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their transfer pursuit of Sevilla and France defender Jules Kounde, with reports circulating regarding his interest in a move to FC Barcelona.
Kounde has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge for over a year, with Thomas Tuchel’s side now in dire need of defenders.
Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are departing the club this summer, with Barcelona also interested in Cesar Azpilicueta, with as many as three central defenders potentially leaving.
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This would leave Chelsea with Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah as the only two senior central defenders currently at the club and in the squad for next season.
The likes of Ethan Ampadu and Levi Colwill are set to return for pre-season, while other names have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge alongside Kounde.
The Blues are ‘serious’ about signing Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt, but this deal is thought to be alongside signing Kounde, not instead of.
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Sevilla will demand €65 million for the Blues target, with Tuchel’s side reportedly having already offered €50 million for the defender.
However, reports from Spain have stated that talks between Barcelona and Sevilla for Kounde are ‘very advanced’, handing Chelsea a blow.
Cat radio state that a deal for Kounde to head to the Camp Nou could now ‘be completed’ for between €55 million and €60 million plus a player.
It is not clear whether these rumours have substance to them, with Christensen already set to join Barcelona this summer, which could lead them with an excess of central defenders.
A deal for the 23-year-old to join Chelsea was thrown into doubt as Kounde picked up an injury during international duty with France.
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French boss Didier Deschamps confirmed that the defender will undergo surgery following a groin issue.
He said: “I know very well his athletic condition today. Tomorrow, he will have (surgical) intervention because he has a problem that dates from several months ago.”
It was also reported that the defender would prefer a move to Barcelona this summer in the Spanish press.
Chelsea boss Tuchel previously admitted his interest in Kounde last summer, a deal that was thought to be concluded this summer before Barcelona’s interest complicated things.
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"It was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul and it was very, very late but it was a very, very smooth transfer window because I had full concentration on training and on my team," Tuchel said previously.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Barcelona, Sevilla, Jules Kounde, Football