Sevilla would prefer to sell defender Jules Kounde to a team outside of Spain this summer, meaning Chelsea could be given preference ahead of the competition.
That’s according to AS, who say the Frenchman is almost guaranteed to leave the Spanish club as a result of their financial situation.
As you’ll be aware, Kounde was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea last summer as the Blues looked to strengthen following their Champions League success.
They couldn’t reach an agreement with Sevilla over an asking price, though, with the La Liga side insisting that the Blues pay the defender’s €80m release clause and refusing to move from that point.
Thomas Tuchel and co remain keen, though, and several reports over the last few weeks have made it clear they are back in the picture for him. Indeed, it’s believed they are at the front of the queue for his signature and AS add further evidence to back up that claim.
They explain that Sevilla reported a €42m loss in their last shareholders’ meeting, and that means selling Kounde is ‘practically a given’ at this point.
It remains to be seen how high he will actually go for, but that will presumably be Sevilla’s starting point moving forwards.
They’re not exactly happy to sell but will negotiate once again, and the newspaper says within the club there ‘will always be a preference’ to transfer the Frenchman ‘to a team outside La Liga’.
That, therefore, would put Chelsea at the front of the queue for his signature and ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, both of whom have been brought back into the picture in recent weeks.
That’s certainly a boost for the Blues, who will once again have to negotiate with Sevilla, but now know they might have priority as far as the Spanish side are concerned.
