One centre back down and still more to come. Chelsea aren't slowing down, Todd Boehly isn't slowing down and neither is Thomas Tuchel. If anything, the demands have just gotten higher.
The Blues first two signings of the summer have arrived and slotted into training seamlessly, preseason preparation is going full pelt, and so is the new co-owner. Boehly is still on a mission to bring in more key targets and improve his new side, Tuchel is just as desperate.
After losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free contracts this window already, the solid backline that Tuchel has relied on in his time at Stamford Bridge has slowly been moved on, especially as Cesar Azpilicueta could leave the club as well.
READ MORE: What Thomas Tuchel told Kalidou Koulibaly before Chelsea training as shock decision is explained
Kalidou Koulibaly has offered a start to the defensive rebuild but football.london understands that he is just the start. Presnel Kimpembe is a sought-after player, but so too is Jules Kounde, and despite the expected price of the French duo, Boehly and Tuchel aren't being put off yet.
As a formal offer is expected to be submitted from Chelsea this week, they have now been given their clearest message from Sevilla in relation to Kounde. As the relationship from last year is attempted to be saved between the clubs, it is now a straight shootout for the player as once again Barcelona have entered proceedings.
The Spanish club have already beaten Tuchel to signing Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski, as well as securing Christensen. They are no in for Kounde, but with Chelsea holding the historic interest and personal terms not expected to be an issue, the turning point to the deal comes from the value of the transfer.
Ben Jacobs has reported that Sevilla are "holding out for €60m+ (£50.9m) for Jules Kounde," whilst other reports have claimed that Chelsea are looking to enter the process with a £45m bid first. The other part of this saga is that as the Blues look to offload players to fund big deals and remove excess wages on the books, Sevilla also prefer a straight cash deal.
This would potentially rule out any sort of swap deal but it could also dent Barcelona's hopes as they look to draw out the payment structure to suit their financial situation. Jacobs also reports that Sevilla haven't had an official bid from their Spanish rivals, but like the rest of Europe, are waiting to see what happens as they could be tempted to open a bidding war for the player.
Although the Kounde deal looks anything but set, the speed at which it has picked up again indicates that moves are being made. Where Kounde ends up at the end of the window is still anything but a formality.
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