Sevilla’s Jules Koundé will join Chelsea ‘before the end of the month’ with work already well underway to find his replacement.
That’s according to Estadio Deportivo, who say that the Spanish side are ‘about to say goodbye’ to the Frenchman.
Chelsea are on the hunt for new centre-backs this summer, with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen leaving to join Real Madrid and Barcelona, respectively.
Cesar Azpilicueta could also leave and join the latter, leaving a huge hole in Chelsea’s defence that will need to be filled.
Koundé is at the top of their wishlist, with the Blues having retained their interest in him since last summer when they tried to make a deal happen but ultimately couldn’t agree on a price with Sevilla.
The La Liga side are now willing to do a deal several reports over the last few weeks have made it clear a move to Chelsea is practically a given.
Estadio back that up, stating that Sevilla are planning a complete rebuild at the back after selling Diego Carlos to Aston Villa.
His departure will be followed by Koundé’s, who, ‘barring a major surprise’, ‘will be a Chelsea player’ before the end of June.
Thomas Tuchel and co are yet to make a ‘concrete offer’ for the defender, but they will do so shortly, and a deal worth between €60-65m has been mooted.
An ‘imminent negotiation’ is expected between both parties to iron out the details, but the sentiment is that this transfer will be done sooner rather than later.
