Sevilla have now rejected an opening bid from Chelsea for the transfer of Jules Kounde and want to solve the defender’s future this week, amid rival interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
That’s according to Marca, who note Thomas Tuchel’s side have opened negotiations with a €50m (£42.5m) bid. The Blues’ proposal also featured up to €5m (£4.25m) with add-ons, but Los Nervionenses refused to discuss the Frenchman’s potential sale in that price range.
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Chelsea are likely to return with an improved offer as the Stamford Bridge natives build on Kalidou Koulibaly’s recent arrival. Although the west London outfit are expected to meet a minimum asking price of €65m (£55.5m) as Sevilla suspect Barcelona will start their chase.
Barcelona have closely tracked Kounde’s situation this summer, while Paris Saint-Germain also have the 23-year-old on their shortlist of centre-halves. But Chelsea submitting a first formal offer has moved the Blues to the front of the queue that Tottenham were leading.
Chelsea overtake Tottenham interest but Sevilla reject first Jules Kounde bid
Reports by the Mirror earlier this month noted Tottenham’s interest in Kounde and added that the north London side were leading the race for his transfer from Sevilla. But Chelsea have now edged their way ahead, and could finalise a deal this week with an improved bid.
Sevilla are pushing Chelsea to finalise Kounde’s transfer as the Andalusian outfit intend to resolve his future this week. It would be the most important operation in the La Liga side’s history and most expensive sale, thus freeing funds to unlock Monchi’s plans for signings.
Los Nervionenses will seek as high a fee as they can during any further discussions, but will not delay too long. Sevilla are loath to risk letting Kounde’s uncertain future persist for too long and delay their off-season plans, causing problems when La Liga returns on August 12.
Tottenham, then, may face a race against time to re-overtake interest from Chelsea to sign Kounde off Sevilla. The Blues are just €10m (£8.5m) away from Los Nervionenses’ price tag and with Sevilla wanting the Frenchman sold this week if he is leaving, could secure a deal.
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