Jules Kounde was not included in the Sevilla team for their preseason trip to Portugal as he nears a long-anticipated transfer to Chelsea....CONTINUE READING
Kounde was strongly connected to the Blues last summer, but a deal fell through at the eleventh hour.
However, Chelsea has never given up, and 90min is told that the two clubs have now come to an agreement on a sum of about €55 million, plus €10 million in add-ons, for the defender’s services.
Since personal terms have been established for some time, the Blues are confident that the transfer will soon be approved.
In advance of Sevilla’s next friendlies in Portugal, it was announced on Thursday that Kounde would not be joining up with his teammates.
His lack of participation is understandable given that he has reportedly only recently recovered from surgery on a minor pelvis ailment and has not yet finished a training session. He will have time during his absence to complete his transfer to Chelsea, though.
Despite Kounde’s preference for a move to Camp Nou, 90min knows that Barcelona is still very interested in signing him, but they have been too slow to make a firm offer. As a result, the player now appears to be joining Chelsea.
The Blues are hoping that Kounde will be able to travel with them on their preseason American trip so he can continue working on becoming healthy. Additionally, Chelsea will want him to establish a quick rapport with newly arrived defensive partner Kalidou Koulibaly.
The team is looking to expand its center-back lineup and is contemplating Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain, although that move is contingent upon PSG concluding a deal to acquire Inter defender Milan Skriniar.
