Chelsea

Report: Chelsea may have to shell out £88m for 22-year-old transfer target

Transfer News: Jules Kounde could cost Chelsea £88m

According to transfer news from 90min (h/t Football.london), Chelsea could have to shell out an eye-watering £88m for Jules Kounde. While the defender might have a release clause of £68m, paying that full amount will result in FFP issues. But, paying it over instalments will add another cool £20m to the amount taking it to £88m in total.

Chelsea are getting serious about their transfers. Romelu Lukaku has been re-signed from Inter Milan for a club-record fee. However, that might not be the only big-money signing for Chelsea this summer. Jules Kounde is a name they are looking to add to the defence but a deal for him looks complicated.

Jules Kounde could join Chelsea from Sevilla in this transfer window regardless of what happens with Kurt Zouma. (imago Images)

Initially, Chelsea were willing to offer Kurt Zouma in part-exchange. That has not worked out as Zouma is not keen to move to Spain. Sevilla were keen on Zouma also and the exchange would have reduced Kounde’s price to a modest €45m. (h/t The Guardian)

However, Kounde’s release clause stands at a solid £68m. If Chelsea try to pay the full amount in one go, they run the risk of breaching Financial Fair Play rules.

As a workaround, Chelsea asked about a deal to be paid in instalments over the years. The problem with that is Sevilla will now ask for £20m more than the release clause, taking the cost to sign Kounde towards £88m. The Blues are not opposed to paying a bit extra but it is understood that the club have second thoughts over that substantial hike.

Jules Kounde in action for Sevilla. (imago Images)

More Chelsea News

For now, Chelsea are still in talks with Sevilla to get a deal done. Kounde remains keen on a move to Chelsea as well. This deal is no doubt proving very difficult to pull off, lest we say an expensive one.

Sourav Ghosh

Full-time football fan, half-time football writer.

Recent Posts

Fan Power: How Chelsea Fans Could Stop Stamford Bridge Move

Ask any matchday Chelsea fan who the CPO are, and they’ll tell you that it stands for the Chelsea Pitch…

2 weeks ago

Chelsea and Arsenal in pursuit of €427,308 per week striker

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a signing move for the Juventus Center forward in winter.

2 weeks ago

Former Arsenal star raves about Chelsea’s midfield maestro

Cole Palmer is taking the headlines for the performances he has been putting in since moving to Chelsea in the…

3 weeks ago

Chelsea alarmed by unfolding situation with 17-year-old signing

Chelsea have received an alarming news on their signing Kendry Paez who is likely to join the club next year.

4 weeks ago

Chelsea ready to move for Brazilian defender with €70 million. release clause

According to a Brazilian news outlet UOL, Chelsea are trying to sign the young Brazilian JP Chermont from Santos.

4 weeks ago

“We need him”- Maresca ready to reintegrate out of favour Chelsea star

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has cleared the club's stand on the left-back Ben Chilwell who stands on the brink of…

4 weeks ago