Chelsea have begun negotiations to sign center-back Jules Kounde from Sevilla. The Blues are said to be in advanced negotiations with the Spanish club and have offered Kurt Zouma – and Emerson – to bring the price down.
Chelsea are in advanced talks to sign defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla, reports Fabrizio Romano. The Frenchman was previously wanted by Chelsea’s London rivals Tottenham, but reports claimed that he was holding out for a bigger move. The player has reportedly agreed to personal terms with the Blues and is ready to sign a contract until 2026.
Romano reports that Chelsea are in negotiations with Sevilla over the transfer fee and payment structure; the talks are said to be at an advanced stage. Rumors earlier this summer claimed the Spanish giants to be asking any suitors for a 55 million euros fee for their star defender. Chelsea, however, are trying to lower the asking price by offering Sevilla some players in exchange.
Chelsea offered to include Emerson in the Kounde deal but are more likely to send Kurt Zouma to Seville. Zouma, too, was wanted by Tottenham to bolster their central defense, as revealed by Romano. However, he could now be on his way to Spain to join Sevilla in a straight positional swap with Kounde. Chelsea will pay Sevilla a transfer fee, apart from swapping Zouma, to sign Kounde.
Kounde came through the Bordeaux youth ranks before joining Sevilla in a club-record fee in 2019. The Frenchman slotted straight into the starting eleven and formed a formidable central defensive partnership with Diego Carlos. The 22-year-old made 48 appearances last term across all competitions and even managed to score four goals – including a mesmerizing run from his own half and the subsequent finish against Barcelona. He was awarded a place in the France National Team squad for Euro 2020 owing to his performances.
Apart from Kounde, Chelsea are also closing in on the signing of free agent Marcus Bettinelli. The Englishman will join the Blues as their new third-choice goalkeeper, following the expiration of his contract at neighboring Fulham.
