Chelsea make an offer for 22-year-old French rising star also wanted by Man United

Transfer News: Chelsea make an offer for Jules Kounde

According to transfer news from Daily Star, Chelsea have made an offer for Jules Kounde. The French defender is a target for Chelsea as well as Manchester United. However, the defender is said to prefer staying put at Sevilla.

It is surprising that Chelsea would look to go after a new defender despite having a strong contingent of the same. The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen have done well in a three-man defensive setup. We also have the likes of Zouma and Reece James who can play there.

However, a closer look would justify Chelsea’s interest in someone like Kounde. Antonio Rudiger will be out of contract within a year. The duo of Silva and Azpilicueta are also not getting any younger. This needs to be addressed.

Kounde has made a name for himself in the short while he has been at Sevilla. He was a central part en route to Sevilla’s Europa League win in 2020. Called up to the France side for the Euros, he was handed a start in the game against Portugal. Chelsea along with United remain interested but Sevilla have already turned down an offer from United. The Blues have made another offer regardless.

More Chelsea News

• Transfer News: Chelsea given fresh update regarding Bayern Munich’s interest in Callum Hudson-Odoi
• Blow for Chelsea as Real Madrid make Erling Haaland their priority signing
• Transfer News: Chelsea make Spurs striker Harry Kane priority target

With Tuchel switching to a back-three, it does make sense to go after at least one new centre-back. Refreshing the defensive options ahead of next season might be a good idea. In Kounde, Chelsea will get a player they can rely on for a number of years, given he is only 22. The only problem will be to change Kounde’s mind as he wants to remain in Spain.