Chelsea have suffered a triple transfer blow in the defensive department with Nathan Ake the latest one of the three updates as speculation resumes about Jules Kounde's future.
The Blues really have got their gears in action this week after Raheem Sterling's signing was unveiled in the gleaming LA sunshine on Wednesday afternoon. This is expected to be followed shortly by a Kalidou Koulibaly announcement after a £34million deal had been agreed between the two clubs with the Africa Cup of Nations winner completing his medical in full on Thursday, football.london understands.
While in London and waiting for his official announcement before jetting off to America to join up with his teammates, Nathan Ake and Presnel Kimpembe looked set to follow suit but for one reason or another, this no longer looks likely. This is because as per The Athletic, Ake has mutually agreed with Man City to stay put this summer with Chelsea failing so far to match the asking price of £50million asking price.
READ MORE: Nathan Ake makes huge Chelsea transfer decision amid Presnel Kimpembe and Levi Colwill options
Worryingly though, this isn't where the bad news stops. Goal France have reported that despite Chelsea advancing in negotiations for Kimpembe, the French international's preference is to stay put.
However, this option could be taken out of his own hands due to the fact that Inter Milan centre-half Milan Skriniar could be PSG bound, which would make the 26-year-old surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes.
If both negotiations were to totally collapse, the Blues could potentially fall back on a player they've been linked with for some time. Despite having a dream to play in west London, Lens defender Jonathan Clauss is reportedly in talks to join Marseille with Man United also set to enter the race.
Potentially, three defensive deals could fall through In the next few days, so where could Chelsea turn next? Jules Kounde has been a long-term target of the club during the Roman Abramovich era and it was understood that interest cooled in the Frenchman when Marina Granovskaia left her role on the board.
The Guardian state that Boehly could revisit the Kounde pursuit as a result of the Ake setback. However, he could find it a lot hard now to agree on a fee with Sevilla, especially considering the rumours that both Spurs and Real Madrid have joined this transfer race.
Chelsea fans- Jules Kounde, Kalidou Koulibaly and Presnel Kimpembe all signed this summer? Rate that defensive transfer window alone out of 10? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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