Chelsea have turned their attention back to Sevilla’s Jules Koundé and are working on signing the defender from Sevilla. The deal for the French defender had stalled in the last weeks following the departure of Marina Granovskaia. Granovskaia was the seen as the main driving factor in the deal, but the Blues have switched their attention back to the transfer for Kounde, with it now being driven by Todd Boehly & co. The situation is one to keep an eye on and it could even be the next transfer to happen for Chelsea.
The club have have had a long-term interest in the Frenchman, who came close to joining Chelsea last summer till Sevilla moved the goalposts at the last minute. Barcelona are also interested in signing the 23-year-old this summer. From Thomas Tuchel’s side Matthijs de Ligt was seen as the main right-centre back but the feeling from the club is that they think the Dutchman will join Bayern Munich, who has already agreed personal terms with the German side.
Kalidou Koulibaly was the alternative target, in which the Blues quickly wrapped up a deal with Napoli and will join the Premier League side in a €40m deal. Koundé wasn’t Tuchel’s main target, but is still keen on adding him to his defence.
Kimpembe and other targets
Chelsea also continuing to work on PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe, who Tuchel really wants to bring in for the left-hand side of his back three with RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol also remains on Tuchel’s list for defenders. Les Parisens are open to selling Kimpembe, if their valuation is met. Nathan Ake is also another player the Blues had been working on, with Tuchel also a fan of the player, but the deal is said to be off after a decision was made not to meet Man City’s asking price for the defender.
If Chelsea do bring in three defenders, it will affect the future of Levi Colwill’s position in the team, who has good chances of leaving the club this summer. César Azpilicueta also looks likely to leave Chelsea this summer since he has a verbal agreement in place with Barcelona for months. A fee still needs to be negotiated,but if Chelsea bring in Jules Koundé, Todd Boehly will give the green light for Azpilicueta to depart.
Nathan Gissing
