Thomas Tuchel's reasons for opting for Kalidou Koulibaly over Jules Kounde have been revealed as Chelsea and Todd Boehly close in on a £34million transfer swoop.
Chelsea's defensive rebuild is finally taking some shape after months of speculation surrounding multiple names that have been thrown into the fray of replacing the already gone Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
All of Kounde, Matthijs de Ligt, Presnel Kimpembe, Milan Skriniar and many others have been linked to the vacant roles on which could see Boehly splash a significant part of the £200million budget. Amid rumours that the Kimpembe could be the third defender signed over Kounde, as per The Telegraph, there are two defenders that are almost looking like a certainty to be signing for Chelsea in the upcoming days and weeks ahead.
READ MORE: Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly drops Chelsea transfer bombshell as £34m deal 'very close'
The first of them is Napoli's talisman Koulibaly who by his own admission is on the 'right track' towards ending his long-stay in south Italy for a new challenge abroad which will see him reunite with Edouard Mendy on the club stage. football.london understands that an agreement is close between Chelsea and Napoli in relation to a £34m deal that will see the Senegalese international sign a lucrative long-term contract in west London.
Additionally, football.london understands that the Blues are in advanced talks for City defender Nathan Ake with the fee and personal terms being discussed. City want over £50million and a replacement lined up before giving the green light for a deal. Two signings added to Raheem Sterling who will look on paper like being astute business.
The potential new signings are expected to follow Sterling in joining up with Tuchel and his side across the duration of their US tour. Tuchel will be delighted to hear these fresh updates but someone who won't be is Sevilla's Kounde.
The Frenchman has long wanted to join Chelsea after a move fell through at the last hurdle last summer and with Kimpembe reportedly the third defensive target, the 23-year-old may have to look elsewhere. But why have Chelsea apparently gone cold on the French international? Alongside Marina Granovskaia leaving her role on the board, it has been known that Kounde was more of a club target and these latest developments seem to indicate that the La Liga star is further down on Tuchel's list than expected.
This has been confirmed by one of Gianluca Di Marzio's writers Nathan Gissing, who has outlined the three factors Tuchel took into account when opting for Koulibaly over Kounde. He tweeted: 'Tuchel prefers Koulibaly to Kounde due to his experience, height and physicality.'
Chelsea fans- Would you rather Jules Kounde or Presnel Kimpembe were to be signed alongside Ake and Koulibaly as the third defensive transfer? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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