Chelsea fans have spotted a major transfer hint regarding the future of Jules Kounde. The 23-year-old, who has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this summer, was pictured with a fan in London.
He featured 32 times for Sevilla in La Liga this season, playing a significant role in the Spanish giants retaining the best defensive record in the league. His impressive displays have attracted the attention of Europe's leading sides.
According to Goal, the groundwork has been put in place to sign the France international once sanctions on Chelsea are lifted and Todd Boehly's consortium complete their takeover. The Blues were linked with Kounde ahead of the season and were understood to have agreed a deal worth around £43million, according to The Athletic.
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However, the subsequent sale of Kurt Zouma to West Ham reportedly saw Sevilla's sporting director, Monchi, increase the asking price to £69million to which Chelsea then halted their pursuit. Kounde has been heavily linked with a move to west London, but Real Madrid have also been credited with an interest in the Frenchman, according to reports.
Though, if Chelsea fans' latest hint it to be believed, Tuchel's side have been given a major boost in beating Los Blancos to the defender's signature. If a deal is to be completed, Kounde would become the first signing of a new era.
Boehly, who has agreed a £4.25billion deal to buy the Blues that is set to be approved by the UK Government on Tuesday, is expected to 'push for A-list signings' to mark a new era at Stamford Bridge, according to the MailOnline. And, regardless of whether the American billionaire secures Kounde's services, Tuchel is keen to undergo a rebuild at Chelsea this summer.
Speaking to football.london, the Blues boss said: "We are rebuilding, not improving the squad. We are rebuilding. This is always challenging, but we are up for the challenge.
"I don't know where we are from day one. What I can promise is that I will be here – if I can promise that – I will be here with full energy and positive energy no matter what. We will still work for Chelsea, and I refuse to think of negative scenarios. We will be competitive, on which level we will see."
