Chelsea are reportedly set to reignite their interest in Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window. That's according to Spanish news outlet Sport, via Sport Witness, who say Sevilla are 'doomed to sell' the 23-year-old defender after suffering a €30million (£23m) deficit after being knocked out of the Europa League round of 16 to West Ham United recently.
The Blues, as per manager Thomas Tuchel, were interested in the France international last summer, but the two clubs were unable to agree on a price for the centre-back. Tuchel said this in September 2021: "Marina [Granovskaia] was in charge and she is the best person who can be in charge.
"We were in contact and Petr Cech was in contact. Us three we knew about all of the situations. We knew things can happen, things can happen later and we were also very aware of the situation that, maybe, nothing happens at all.
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"I assured everybody that I'm also happy if we cannot bring a player in. We will find the solution within the squad. We will push players within the squad. But it was clear we tried for Kounde and Saul [Niguez] and it was very, very late, but it was a very, very smooth transfer window because I had full concentration on training and on my team."
Now, with the summer transfer window swiftly approaching, and three defenders - Andreas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger - all set to run out their Chelsea contracts, the Blues could look to move for Kounde once again. This does depend on their ownership situation, though.
As it stands, Chelsea are unable to conduct any transfer business when the window does open with the club's current owner Roman Abramovich being sanctioned by the UK's government. However, there is an ongoing process, with four contenders thought to be being considered.
The quicker Chelsea can get a deal wrapped up, the better for their chances to have a somewhat normal summer transfer window - and that they do need. With Rudiger, Azpilicueta and Christensen all looking set to leave, the Blues need to bring in at least two new central defenders.
Earlier in the season, Kounde alluded to a "hectic" summer for him personally but insisted he has put it all behind him. He said: "We all know the summer has been hectic, I would not say complicated, but that is the past now.
"I am focused on the team. The most important performance is on the pitch. The team needs me and I need the team too to give my best and that is what I am trying to do."
