Chelsea have ‘fallen out of race’ for player – Conversation with Tuchel did not convince him

Following Chelsea’s long wait for the signing of Jules Kounde, here’s the worst news the Premier League club could get in this pursuit.

According to El Desmarque, the Blues have ‘fallen out of the race’ for the defender, as his entourage ‘take it from granted’ that the London side ‘will definitely not take over his services’.

It’s once again claimed Sevilla and Chelsea had an agreement for the move, but the ‘final document has not arrived’ at the Spanish club. Now both the club and Kounde ‘no longer expect new moves’ from the Stamford Bridge side for the signing.

El Desmarque says the player even had a conversation with Thomas Tuchel, yet the chat ‘did not seduce him’ as much as the one he had with Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez. The report claims the German manager pointed out the Frenchman could be used as a central defender and as a fullback, while the Catalan coach ‘puts in his hands the leadership of Barça’s defence in the next few years’. It’s also written the ‘enthusiasm’ from the Camp Nou chief convinced Kounde more than Chelsea’s bigger financial offer.

The Blues had been bidding €55m for the transfer, and Sevilla, who now negotiate with Barcelona, hope they receive something close to that. It’s said contacts between the two La Liga sides have just started.