Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is reportedly close to completing his long-awaited move to Chelsea.
According to Estadio Deportivo, the Blues should secure the deal for the Frenchman before the end of the month, making him one of the first signings of the Todd Boehly era.
Kounde was widely reported to be joining Thomas Tuchel’s side last summer, however the deal fell through as negotiations reached their final stages.
Despite this, the France international has remained on the club’s radar, and now they are looking to finally get the deal over the line for a fee in the region of £55m.
Estadio Deportivo claim the move is now inevitable, and “barring a major surprise, [Kounde] will be a Chelsea player before the end of the month.”
There had been brief doubts over the possibility of the signing, after Sevilla confirmed the departure of their other first choice centre back Diego Carlos to Aston Villa. The Brazilian joined for a reported fee of £26m.
However, the Spanish side are reported to be undertaking a “total reconstruction of its defensive wall”, with supporters keen on Galatasaray’s Marcao as a replacement.
Chelsea meanwhile could be in for their own defensive reshuffle this summer, with Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta rumoured to be joining Antonio Rudiger in leaving Stamford Bridge.
The signing of Kounde might not be the only incoming at the back for the Blues, with Matthijs De Ligt also rumoured to be a target.
The Dutch international has not quite reached the heights he hit when at Ajax, and is reported to be stalling on signing a new deal at Juventus.
As well as the European stars who may be on the way to West London, Tuchel is also reported to be giving academy graduate Levi Colwill an opportunity to prove his worth in pre-season this summer.
The England U21 international impressed on loan at Huddersfield Town last season, helping his side to the Championship play off final.
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