Transfer News: Chelsea to shift focus on Jules Kounde after Lukaku move
According to reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea ‘will focus’ on Jules Kounde after they formally complete the move for Inter Milan striker, Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian is close to sealing a return to Stamford Bridge. And according to Romano, the 28-year-old will arrive in London to sign his contract with the 2021 UEFA Champions League winners.
But Marina Granovskaia’s business is not set to stop there. The Blues are also targeting a defender, and Kounde of Sevilla is their ‘favourite‘ option at the back.
“Romelu Lukaku will be soon in London to sign his contract as new Chelsea player. Work in progress to plan for travel, medical and unveiling next week. #CFC After Lukaku, Chelsea will focus on next signing – Koundé always favourite option as centre back but not agreed yet.”
Kounde after Lukaku
While no deal is finalized yet, this news should still excite Chelsea fans. Granted everything goes to plan for the Blues and they land both the Belgian striker as well as the French defender, it would be two positions significantly strengthened ahead of the new season.
Tuchel plays with three centre-backs on the pitch. That automatically requires greater depth in the club’s defensive reservoir as compared to a team fielding two central defenders.
Kounde, 22, can well be Chelsea’s long-term replacement for any of their current defenders – whoever ends up leaving first. But that is something for the fans to think about in the future.
More Chelsea News:
- Chelsea plan to hand new contracts to Jorginho and N’Golo Kante
- Transfer News: Chelsea to revisit interest in Stefan de Vrij
- Transfer News: Chelsea agree €115m deal to sign Romelu Lukaku
Right now, the focus should be on getting Lukaku in a Chelsea kit and then going on from there to pursue Kounde. There has rarely been a better time to be a Chelsea fan in the past decade or so, than right now.