Tottenham are targeting a move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde with Chelsea focusing on securing transfers for Kalidou Koulibaly and Presnel Kimpembe.
Spurs confirmed their fifth signing of the summer with the arrival of Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona. football.london understands Antonio Conte wants to add two or three more signings to his squad ahead of next season.
Kounde has been on Chelsea's transfer radar for the past year, but interest has cooled lately with the Blues looking at other targets. football.london understands Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Koulibaly and are expected to secure a £33million deal for the Senegalese defender, whilst remaining in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for Kimpembe.
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According to the Mirror, Tottenham have joined the race for Kounde, who is valued around £65million, but could face competition from PSG for his signature. The Ligue 1 outfit are willing to let Kimpembe leave for the right fee and could make a move for the Sevilla centre-back as his replacement.
Spurs were previously interested in signing Alessandro Bastoni this summer, but the Italian defender admitted to being 'happy' at the San Siro with two years left on his current deal. Defence has been a key area to strengthen for Conte this summer with the arrivals of Ivan Perisic and Lenglet at N17.
football.london understands Spurs are still negotiating a deal for talented Middlesbrough defender Djed Spence, with a right wing-back still a priority on their list this summer. Reports last week suggests Kounde had grown frustrated with Chelsea's delay in pursuing a deal for the 23-year-old, with Tottenham now ahead in the race to sign the France international.
Barcelona are another club interested in acquiring Kounde's services this summer, but with the ongoing financial difficulties at the Camp Nou, a deal would only be able to happen if they sell on players like Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong. Depay has been linked with a move to Spurs this summer but reports in Spain suggest the Dutch forward isn't convinced on Conte's project and would prefer to stay with the Spanish giants.
Although Tottenham are unlikely to be able to match PSG's financial terms, Kounde may regard Conte's project as a more intriguing challenge than the finite competition of Ligue 1, a league in which he has already competed during his time with Bordeaux. With the ambition shown by the club this summer and lure of Champions League football next season, Kounde could be an achievable signing for Spurs who are looking a real force ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
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