Transfer News: Chelsea could return for 22-year-old French starlet in January

Transfer News: Chelsea could go back for Jules Kounde in winter transfer window

According to the Evening Standard, Chelsea could orchestrate a deal for Jules Kounde in January after failing to sign the 22-year-old this summer.

The Blues made some astute additions to their squad this summer by getting in a quality forward in Romelu Lukaku and a great midfield option in Saul Niguez, but could not manage to pull off a deal for Kounde. 

The 22-year-old, who is seen as one of the best emerging centre-back talents in world football, was eyed by the Stamford Bridge outfit over a potential move this summer.

The Frenchman had also agreed on personal terms with the West London club in July itself but a move failed to materialize. The Blues tried to initially include Kurt Zouma in the deal which would see the London club make a player plus cash deal for the Sevilla man.

However, Zouma did not want to be a part of this deal and preferred moving to a club in the Premier League. Although Zouma sealed a move to West Ham United towards the end of the transfer window, the Blues could not manage to get a deal over the line for Kounde.

The Blues were also close to striking a £42.7million deal with Sevilla for the 22-year-old, but the Spanish outfit demanded more money towards the end of the window, courtesy of which the deal failed to go through. 

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Thomas Tuchel would be wary about the fact that Thiago Silva is 36 and in the final year of his contract, while Antonio Rudiger is also yet to sign a contract extension. Cesar Azpilicueta also turned 32 this year and thus, a move for Kounde can be eyed as adding a more youthful approach to the backline. 

Thus, Chelsea could go back into the market in the winter transfer window for Kounde, who has been disappointed with Sevilla for not sanctioning a move this summer.