Sevilla president Jose Castro admits Chelsea target Jules Kounde will be allowed to leave the La Liga club this summer if an "acceptable" offer is received for the France international, who underwent surgery on a minor pelvis injury yesterday (Tuesday) and is expected to return during pre-season.
Kounde has been the Blues' first-choice defensive target for almost a year – and an attempt to sign the 23-year-old was made last summer. However, a move for the centre-back was parked while Chelsea focused on bringing in Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan, and then postponed after Sevilla raised their asking price late into the window.
Chelsea retained their interest throughout the 2021/22 campaign and were expected to make an approach for Kounde prior to this summer's transfer window. Yet the sanctions placed upon Roman Abramovich scuppered the Blues' efforts and they were forced to wait until the takeover of the club by the Todd Boehly-led consortium was completed.
