Transfer News: Chelsea want to sell a defender before making Jules Kounde bid
According to Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph (h/t football.london), Chelsea are planning to line up a deal for a defender to leave Stamford Bridge before making an official bid for Jules Kounde.
The 22-year-old La Liga defender is linked with a move to Chelsea as Thomas Tuchel looks to shore up his defence. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano maintains that Kounde is still a priority target for the Blues.
Iconic Chelsea defender, Frank Lebouef, has even said to ESPN (h/t Daily Star) that Kounde would be a quality signing for Chelsea if they manage to land him this summer, or the next.
He’s (Kounde) a fantastic player. He has everything. He is a warrior, he never gives up… he is the future for sure. Maybe it’s an opportunity for Chelsea to get him maybe not this season, but next season… It would be a good signing for Chelsea.”
Chelsea’s defence faces uncertain future
The Sevilla centre-back can strengthen Chelsea’s defence in the short term as well as the long term, especially in terms of squad depth. Moreover, at his age, signing him could mean securing a long-term asset in the backline.
Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Kurt Zouma, and Cesar Azpilicueta are the options Thomas Tuchel currently has at his disposal. But many of these names are not guaranteed to be at Chelsea in the near future.
For instance, Christensen and Rudiger are in the last year of their deals. Silva is turning 37 this year and France international, Zouma, is linked with an exit from the club this summer.
More Chelsea News:
- Sevilla shoot down Kenedy swap proposal for Chelsea target Jules Kounde
- Inter Milan set £100m asking price for Chelsea target Romelu Lukaku
- Olivier Giroud wants Hakim Ziyech to join him at AC Milan
Azpilicueta’s services could even be needed on the right side of the defence if Reece James does not have a viable backup for this season. Keeping all these factors in mind, a deal for Kounde makes sense for the Blues. But a move might have to wait until the club offload a defender.