Chelsea offer fringe player plus £30m for Kounde
Chelsea have reportedly offered Sevilla £30million plus Kurt Zouma for centre-back Jules Kounde.
It was announced on Tuesday that Kounde had agreed personal terms with Chelsea, preferring to join a team in the Champions League rather than Tottenham, who were also linked.
The 22-year-old impressed for Sevilla last season and was called up by France for Euro 2020.
He was joined in that squad by Kurt Zouma, who Chelsea are reportedly prepared to include in the deal for Kounde.
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Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea are now in talks with the La Liga side.
Chelsea and Sevilla are discussing to reach an agreement for Jules Koundé/Kurt Zouma swap deal. Talks progressing – Chelsea now offering around €30/35m and Zouma included in the negotiation. 🔵 #CFC
Personal terms are not a problem for Koundé who’s waiting to join Chelsea.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 28, 2021
Sevilla are willing to part with one of their top assets and are now looking at Schalke centre-back Ozan Kabak as his replacement.
The La Liga side have ‘given the signal’ to Schalke that they ‘want to pay €17m’ to land Kabak.
And that’s an offer Schalke ‘can hardly refuse’, given their need to balance the books.
Leicester and Crystal Palace are also interested in the Turkey international, but the report states that neither of them are ready to offer a ‘similar sum as Sevilla’.
Chelsea’s potential deal for Kounde may not hinge on Sevilla signing Kabak, but it’s likely Lopetegui will want a replacement lined up.
The Blues’ interest in Kounde appeared to come from nowhere, whereas their interest in Erling Haaland has been clear for all to see.
They are said to have made a £130million bid for the Norwegian, who opened up on the speculation on Tuesday.
He said: “I don’t really have much to say about this,” Haaland said. “I have three years left on my contract and I’m enjoying my time here (at Dortmund).
“Before yesterday, I didn’t speak to my agent in one month – I think you have the answer there.
“I don’t really care too much about that. It’s a lot of money – I hope it’s just rumours to be honest because that’s a lot of money for a person!”
