Report: Chelsea plotting move for £43m star in the summer, don’t even need to sell players to get him

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea will reportedly carry out their plan of trying to sign Jules Kounde even if none of Thomas Tuchel’s defenders depart at the end of the season.

This is according to the Daily Star, who claim the Blues are intent on securing the Sevilla star, regardless of whether they lose any of their own centre-backs or not.

Chelsea continue to chase Kounde

Despite Chelsea’s extremely quiet winter window in terms of comings and goings, they remained fixated on Kounde.

Numerous reports surfaced across January about the club’s-maintained desire to bring the 23-year-old over to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Tuttomercatoweb suggested that a deal between the Champions League holders and Sevilla is now on the brink of completion.

They also asserted that the Premier League side could acquire their long-term target for just £43m plus bonuses, a fee the Daily Star proposed as well.

This is some decrease on the demands made by the Spanish outfit last year.

Sevilla warded off Chelsea by ordering Kounde’s £68.7m (Evening Standard) release clause be paid in full.

Now, evidently aware very few will pay such a high price, the La Liga title challengers have seemingly lowered their requirements.

The Blues must see this as a huge step toward finally locking down the France international.

Especially if they can do so without relinquishing at least one of the players Kounde is supposedly meant to be replacing.

Contract chatter

Fans of the European champions must’ve been sweating all last month, as they waited with bated breath to hear updates on Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta.

All were able to negotiate pre-contract agreements with foreign suitors, due to the three having deals that expire in June.

Fortunately, Chelsea managed to hold off any attempts this time around but may face an onslaught of requests from now until the campaign’s conclusion.

Unless, of course, they can persuade Rudiger, Christensen or Azpilicueta to sign a new contract.

Achieve that, and the centre-halves could be joined by Kounde in the dressing room, rather than leaving an empty locker for him to take over.

Keep up to date with all the latest Chelsea news and opinion by following The Chelsea Chronicle’s Facebook and Twitter accounts