Chelsea’s pursuit of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde continues to rumble on. The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the past year but is yet to make the switch.
This summer could provide another opportunity to land the centre-back, especially given Thomas Tuchel ’s need to reinforce his squad. The defensive ranks are a particular issue heading into the summer transfer window, given Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s upcoming exits.
It leaves just three natural centre-back options in the current first-team squad, outlining the need to make additions. Discussing the challenge of changing his backline, the German coach said: “We had a core in the back three and we even have an issue with Thiago Silva because he’s not Benjamin Button.
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“It seems like he is but he’s not and he’s getting older actually. It would have been maybe enough to find a natural replacement for this kind of position and keep everybody else, so suddenly we lose maybe three-and-a-half players in the back, which is concerning and a huge challenge.”
Twenty-three-year-old Kounde could be one of the solutions to this problem at the back, as Fabrizio Romano reports, via Barca Times, that Sevilla are asking for €55million (£47million) to €65million (£56million) to let him leave this summer. The report does, however, add that Barcelona hold 'serious' interest in landing the Frenchman this summer.
While it represents a blow to the Blues, they are still believed to lead the race for his signature in the window. Kounde’s current deal expires in 2024, with his 32 La Liga appearances impressing many and has even earned him a regular place in the France senior squad.
