Chelsea have been given a boost in their pursuit for Jules Kounde, as it is ‘vital’ for Sevilla to raise funds this summer, according to reports.
The 23-year-old was wanted by Thomas Tuchel’s side last season before negotiations with the Spanish side broke down towards the end of the summer transfer window.
The Chelsea boss admitted that his side attempted to complete the sale last season but ran out of time.
He said: "It was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul (Niguez) 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."
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Chelsea’s pursuit of the French international has never been easy and took another turn in the early stages of the 2022 summer window, with it being revealed by France manager Didier Deschamps that Kounde was suffering from a groin injury and required surgery.
“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,” the French boss revealed.
However, this is believed to not have any effect on Chelsea’s pursuit of Kounde as they will go ahead with the transfer as the defender is only expected to be out for three to four weeks over the summer.
Sevilla will demand €65 million for the Blues target, with Tuchel’s side reportedly having already offered €50 million for the defender.
But now, according to Spanish outlet AS, it is ‘vital’ for Sevilla to sell Kounde this summer, handing Chelsea a boost.
The Spaniards have already seen fellow central defender Diego Carlos depart, joining Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa.
Sevilla believe that they must sell Kounde as well, in order to fund their squad for next season.
Barcelona are said to be providing competition for Tuchel’s side but the Blues are aware that they must increase their offer to stand a chance of signing the central defender.
Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen both look like they will play in La Liga and face Sevilla next season, with the German being confirmed as a Real Madrid player while Christensen has been named on the released list at Stamford Bridge.
He has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, which looks to be a more viable option on a free transfer than for the Catalan club to sign Chelsea-linked Kounde.
It remains unclear as to when a deal could be agreed but Kounde looks increasingly like joining Chelsea this summer.
Topics: Chelsea, Chelsea Transfer News & Rumours, Jules Kounde, Sevilla, Football
Nick Emms