Chelsea and Sevilla are discussing a move for Jules Kounde although the Spanish club wants his release clause of €80 million to be paid.
According to Goal, Chelsea and Sevilla are discussing details regarding the transfer of Jules Kounde to Stamford Bridge. The Premier League club wants to offer a part-exchange involving Kurt Zouma, whereas Sevilla want the defender’s €80 million release clause paid.
Kounde has become a key part of the Sevilla defence ever since he arrived from Bordeaux in 2019. The French defender always looked destined for a bright future at a bigger club, and Chelsea have duly come forward with an offer. He was also part of France’s Euros squad, although he did not get enough chances to showcase his talent fully.
However, moving away from Sevilla and onto the Premier League will provide him with a top platform to perform. Chelsea just won the Champions League, and Thomas Tuchel is building his squad to retain the title and win domestically. Kounde is considered a key part of his plans next season.
The French star has played 89 times for Sevilla during his stay in Spain and will likely command a large transfer fee. The Spanish side reportedly agreed a player-plus-cash deal from Tottenham for Kounde, with Davinson Sanchez going the other way. It showed the La Liga side’s willingness to sell Kounde.
Kounde rejected Tottenham’s approach citing their ambitions as a problem for his own. However, Spurs returned to Sevilla and signed youngster Bryan Gil with Lamela going the other way along with €25 million. Chelsea wanted to crack a similar deal by including Kurt Zouma in the part-exchange for Kounde.
However, Sevilla does not seem too keen to enter another part-exchange deal with an English club. They instead would like Chelsea to pay Kounde’s €80 million release clause. However, if at all they are willing to accept a player in exchange, they would still like a transfer fee of around €45 million for the French defender.
Kounde initially dreamt of joining Real Madrid and was waiting for the Spanish giants to make a sizeable offer. It could have been possible, considering Madrid have let their primary defenders leave this summer. Sergio Ramos left for PSG, while Raphael Varane is on the verge of joining Manchester United.
However, Real Madrid have shown reluctance to participate in this transfer window due to their financial issues, leaving Chelsea the only realistic option for Kounde to choose. The Blues have the ambition to match Kounde’s and will certainly provide him with a competitive atmosphere to develop and flourish.
A signing of such a player will elevate Chelsea into challenging for the Premier League title this upcoming season, alongside their efforts to retain the Champions League. Kounde might be young for a top-draw defender but is certainly a signing that signals intent for any side. However, it remains to be seen if the two clubs are able to strike an agreement for the Frenchman.
