Chelsea’s negotiations with Sevilla over Jules Koundé are continuing but ‘have been tough’ in the last few hours.
That’s according to Estadio Deportivo, a newspaper local to Sevilla who provide the latest update on the long-running saga around the Frenchman.
They explain that Sevilla chief Monchi and the club’s sport management hope to put a definitive end to the tension this week.
However, there are still a lot of things to be done before a move to Chelsea can be finalised, and the focus is on the price he will leave for.
Chelsea initially offered €55m, and despite reports that they had gone up to €65m, sources at Sevilla say otherwise. Their insistence is that they have ‘hardly raised’ their initial bid, which is €55m plus €5m in variables. That offer is now ‘being discussed’ by both parties.
What is clear is that Monchi is ‘still trying to get the most out of the deal’. With that in mind, it is not unreasonable that the operation could happen with amounts ‘forgiven by the player, his agents or Chelsea’ to help maximise Sevilla’s profits.
Another issue delaying things is the fee Koundé is asking for from Chelsea. Despite reports to the contrary, he does not have an agreement in place with them.
Sources have assured Estadio that he is asking for €12m a year, a figure the Blues do not want to go to.
Some sources have interpreted that as a tactic by the player to buy some time so that Barcelona can make their move for him, as that has always been the player’s first choice.
Everything, though, points to the fact that there should be no problems reaching an agreement with Chelsea. In fact, the parties involved believe that it could be done before Sunday.
