Chelsea star ‘welcomes’ Prem offer over Kounde swap
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma would ‘welcome’ a move to West Ham this summer over a switch to Sevilla.
It was reported on Wednesday that Zouma could be used by Chelsea as a makeweight in a proposed deal for Jules Kounde.
The Blues have reportedly agreed personal terms with the 22-year-old and are locked in negotiations with Sevilla, with a number of players offered as part of the deal.
F365 says: Gratuitous Kounde could hinder Chelsea title tilt
But Sky Sports transfer expert Dharmesh Sheth claims West Ham are in talks with Chelsea over a move for one of those players, Zouma.
He claims David Moyes’ side are willing to pay £20million for the French centre-back, though that falls below the west London club’s valuation.
West Ham in talks to sign Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma. West Ham prepared to pay £20m – below Chelsea’s valuation. Zouma settled in London and – as it stands – would welcome the move ahead of being part of a potential swap deal involving Sevilla’s Jules Kounde. #WHUFC #CFC #Zouma
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) July 29, 2021
Zouma is reportedly settled in the capital and would prefer a move to the Hammers over Sevilla.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their bid to land Erling Haaland this summer.
Borussia Dortmund’s new sporting director Sebastian Kehl says recent talks with Raiola over the transfer of Donyell Malen from PSV gave him a “feeling” on the striker’s future.
Asked whether the goal machine will still be at the club after August 31, Kehl told Bild: “Yes.”
“In the conversations with Mino Raiola about the [Donyell] Malen transfer, I did not have the feeling that we would have to meet again soon about Erling.
“And we have already emphasised 1000 times that we do not want to give him up.”
Meanwhile, Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke has also insisted Haaland will not be leaving.
The boss also warned suitors off Germany international Julian Brandt, who has been linked with a move to Lazio with new manager Maurizio Sarri reportedly keen to bring him to Rome.
“I repeat it every day: Brandt will stay at Borussia Dortmund,” Watzke said.
“For me it has always been very clear. Julian will stay with us – as well as Erling Haaland. I keep repeating it every day, but nobody seems to care.
“Every week I hear a different thing, but for us it is normal, that Brandt stays at Dortmund.”
