Jules Kounde has been Chelsea's first-choice target for their backline for around 12 months and when news broke on Monday evening that the 23-year-old was due to undergo surgery the following day, it felt like the transfer was about to take another twist.
Didier Deschamps confirmed the news was over a longstanding issue, but the furore was not close to quelled until Sevilla put out a statement of their own. "If everything goes as expected, the French international will be available for the start of the 2022/23 season," the La Liga side said.
While the operation appears to have been planned for a number of weeks, and there is little reason to suspect Chelsea did not know about the pelvic issue Kounde is suffering from, it does somewhat justify their position of having not landed the defender already.
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Until the success of the operation is confirmed, there is little progression that can be made for the defender. Personal terms are said to have been agreed for some time and the Blues' willingness to secure a bid and the fee they may pay could possibly be dictated in the next few days.
There is little to suggest Sevilla are not expecting to move their charge on this summer. Sevilla chief José María Cruz de Andrés told Sport Witness : "The case with Jules Koundé is very similar to the case of Diego Carlos. Not in the timing because we received offers for Jules Koundé in the last two seasons but always in the summer market.
“We have rejected because we thought that this player can improve his performance. It was better to wait because the market at the time was depressing. We thought that waiting a while would [help us] obtain more money.”
While the latter point remains to be seen, Diego Carlos has already departed for Aston Villa and the Andalucian side appear to be remaining mobile in the transfer market. Reports suggest Sevilla's sporting director, Monchi, is preparing to make an offer for 21-year-old defender Benoit Badiashile of Monaco. The transfer guru is said to have made several appointments and is on the verge of making the first bid. Newcastle United, Juventus, Manchester United and even Chelsea have been linked with a move for the Monaco ace.
To an extent, Chelsea's failure to land Kounde last summer was connected to the lack of time it left Sevilla to find a replacement with Monchi suggesting the bid came at 'an inopportune moment'. While Badiashile may appear more directly appear Carlos' replacement, it is a transfer that could dictate the ease they can replace their stars this summer.
In May the Ligue 1 ace spoke about the prospect of a Premier League move.
He said: “We all know the competitiveness of the Premier League, it is a fantastic league that of course, is very interesting and we all love the games. I had the chance to play in the Champions League with Monaco and I think this club deserves this competition, it’s a club that’s used to playing in this competition and we want to get back on track. Right now, I’m really happy with Monaco. I had some contact in the past with some [English] clubs but I’m fully focused on the end of the season and Monaco and I feel good.”
The financial capabilities of Newcastle and Manchester United may put pressure on Sevilla's ability to land their target. The Magpies had a £35 million bid turned down in January but the central defender now has two years remaining on his deal meaning the French side may look to cash in. Sevilla are hoping to act fast to beat the competition but may find themselves with a difficult task. Whether that delays the work Chelsea can do to land Kounde or impacts the price remains to be seen.
