Chelsea's drive to secure Sevilla defender Jules Kounde could have a ripple effect on the rest of the Premier League as several key transfers hinge on the Frenchman's departure.
The year-long transfer saga appears to be coming to an end as the Blues finally edge closer to agreeing a fee for Kounde in a move that would make him the third men's team signing of the Todd Boehly-Clearlake era.
The 23-year-old has dominated the plans of Thomas Tuchel's transfer window since summer 2021 and now he is extremely close to a move to London as Clearlake's Behdad Eghbali finalises the negotiations between the two clubs.
READ MORE: Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui decision hints at Jules Kounde's Chelsea transfer being 'done deal'
Chelsea had planned to bring Kounde to Stamford Bridge late last summer but backed out of the deal at the last minute due to a late price change from the Spaniards. The deal was then expected to be negotiated again early this window but progress was slow due to the sale of Chelsea and the departure of key director Marina Granovskaia.
As the new owners at SW6 refused to yield to Manchester City's demands for Nathan Ake a move to pursue Kounde came back into favour and now Chelsea have acted decisively to beat Barcelona to a deal. This could have a knock-on effect throughout the division though, as Sevilla look to use their new funds to secure another defender.
Gianluca Di Marzio is reporting that Sevilla could use the money from cashing in on Kounde to buy Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon. The Spanish full-back has already played for Sevilla before, spending one season on loan there in 2019/20, a move that caught the attention of Europe's top clubs.
Chelsea themselves were interested in Reguilon before securing Ben Chilwell's signature but Spurs did get a deal for the now 25-year-old, purchasing him for £27m in 2020.
This would therefore allow one of Chelsea's rivals to free up their own squad, as Reguilon was left out of Antonio Conte's pre-season tour squad of South Korea. The north Londoners are looking to rid themselves of a crop of senior players at the club and Reguilon is one that isn't in the plans.
With this extra money themselves, Spurs may then look to strengthen as they continue to target defensive options of their own. Conte's side have already made six new signings as they look to close the gap to Chelsea and the leading teams at the top of the Premier League next year, and although Chelsea and Tuchel are making their own key signing, it might indirectly strengthen a rival.
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