Chelsea have reportedly made an offer worth around €50 million, plus add-ons, to sign Sevilla defender and Barcelona target Jules Kounde.
According to journalist Nathan Gissing, Chelsea have made their first move to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla by submitting an offer of €50 million plus add-ons for the Frenchman. Barcelona remain interested in the 23-year-old.
Kounde has grown into one of the most sought-after young defenders in Europe after enjoying three successful years with Sevilla. Having arrived from Bordeaux in 2019, the Frenchman has become a mainstay in Julen Lopetegui’s side and made a huge impression with his defensive nous, pace and ball-playing abilities.
It has put Kounde on the radars of several top clubs, with Chelsea and Barcelona being the main suitors for the defender. Chelsea have been on Kounde’s trails since last summer. Having failed to sign him in 2021, the Blues have set their sights again on the 23-year-old after losing Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.
Even though they have signed Kalidou Koulibaly and are inching closer to landing Presnel Kimpembe from Paris Saint-Germain, Thomas Tuchel & co. remain keen on adding another central defender. Nathan Ake had been a target, but the move has collapsed, paving the way for Chelsea to launch a bid for Kounde.
Chelsea are in negotiations with Sevilla over Jules Koundé and been told have already sent a proposal of around €50m + add ons for Koundé.
As revealed, Chelsea are re-working on the signing of Koundé and from the club’s side they have confidence.
Barça remain interested. #CFC pic.twitter.com/jI1hUJNKOt
— Nathan Gissing (@Nathan_Gissing) July 18, 2022
As per the report, Chelsea have now tabled an offer of €50 million for Kounde, with the overall value of the bid higher than that due to add-ons. However, that value is likely to be lesser than the €60 million that Sevilla are expecting for the 23-year-old French international.
However, the update from Nathan Gissing states that Barcelona remain interested in signing Kounde. The Catalans have been pushing to land the Sevilla ace for a long time as well and have reportedly agreed personal terms with the defender as well. Despite that, the Catalans are not in a financial position to match Chelsea’s offer.
But, they managed to sign Raphinha from Leeds United from a similar scenario to this one. And there is a possibility that Barcelona can pull off such a coup yet again. However, as things stand, though, Chelsea could be leading Barcelona in the race to sign the 23-year-old Kounde this summer.
