Newcastle's soon-to-be £67million January transfer ventures could have a knock on effect on Chelsea and Marina Granovskaia, who still have their eyes on Jules Kounde ahead of a potential summer swoop.
Kounde, 23, could have been a Chelsea player by now if things would have turned out in a better sense for the Frenchman in the 2021 summer transfer window.
football.london understands that Granovskaia had agreed a £42m deal ahead of deadline day to bring in the long-term target to start the defensive reshuffle but Monchi moving the goalposts in the dying embers ruined any negotiations at the time.
Fast forward to now and it is understood that the Blues hierarchy are keen once again to look into a potential deal in the summer, especially if one of Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta or Andreas Christensen depart on a free.
According to ESPN, Sevilla are willing to drop their €80million (£68million) valuation of Kounde, which could allow the Blues to swoop in and make a move before next summer.
The Spanish side are now reportedly willing to accept a fee in the region of €50million to €60million (£42.5million to £51million), with the defender now in the final two-and-a-half years of his contract.
The report says a move in the summer is more likely than in January and given Chelsea's full-back crisis that needs attending to this month, it makes sense to wait for an easier transfer window with more time before completing such a big deal like this one.
However, these plans could be ruined if Newcastle were to tie up a deal for Sevilla's other centre-half this month in the form of Diego Carlos.
Sky Sports' Newcastle correspondent Keith Downie provided an update on the situation: "Diego Carlos has told Sevilla he wants to leave for Newcastle United.
"We are told the Brazilian defender is handing in a transfer request to the club President. Newcastle are in advanced discussions with the Spanish club. Fee being discussed in region of £30m."
Losing potentially Carlos and Kounde in the forthcoming months seems unreasonable for Julen Lopetegui's club but the financial state of La Liga could mean that the Andalusian's cash in on both and sign cheaper replacements.
Whatever they do decide, Monchi and co are willing to give Newcastle's new board the Chelsea treatment as signs of the Kounde saga are re-emerging in this example, as transfer guru Fabrizio Romano clarified.
In a tweet, he said: “Diego Carlos has agreed personal terms with Newcastle on potential five-year deal. No doubt on player’s side.
“Sevilla are keeping the same position as for Jules Kounde deal with Chelsea last summer: ‘important’ bid or no agreement. €35m, not enough. Talks ongoing.”
Chelsea will hope this deal will not scupper their long-term defensive plans in the transfer market but one thing that is for certain is the fact that Newcastle's potential £67m spend is causing havoc to numerous clubs around the Premier League.
Amanda Staveley and co have already splurged £39m on both Chris Wood and Kieran Tripper combined so far this month and the fee required to prise Carlos out of Sevilla could take that total close to the £67m mark.
On contrary, as per Guilleme Balague, Newcastle may have to raise their £25m proposal closer to the €85m (£70m) which is more than Kounde's release clause (£68m), meaning their total spend on the aforementioned trio could reach £109m if Eddie Howe's side were to match the buy out clause.
Spanish expert Balague tweeted: 'Sevilla has received an offer for €30m for Diego Carlos from Newcastle. He would be paid three times more and would go. But Sevilla have got no intention to get rid of him… for that price. Buy out clause is €85m. Newcastle will have to get close to at least double their offer.'
So, maybe there is still some hope left that this deal falls through and therefore doesn't end up hindering Kounde's future one bit which would be music to the ears of the Chelsea faithful.
