Chelsea have set in motion their plan to sign Jules Koundé (Sevilla) as soon as Todd Boehly’s takeover of the club is complete and British government sanctions against the London club are lifted. With the respective departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for Real Madrid and FC Barcelona this summer, the Blues are keen to recruit a high-level central defender.
Like Chelsea, Sevilla FC also wants to complete the operation as soon as possible so that Jules Koundé’s replacement can be recruited and upgraded as quickly as possible to best prepare for the Andalusian club’s 2022-2023 season. The 23-year-old has a verbal summer transfer agreement and is keen to move to Stamford Bridge after negotiations fell through last year.
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The Jules Koundé file, an evidence
The west London club had already agreed a contract with the French centre-back, but the transfer fell through due to a lack of agreement on the price and the late date of negotiations between both clubs. Sevilla FC need to find around 45 million euros to balance their accounts before June 30.
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However, they are asking around €73m for the France international defender who can play as a centre-back or a right-back. Thomas Tuchel had a meal with potential new owner Todd Boehly last week, but the pair didn’t discuss transfers. Still, it’s understood around the club that Boehly is ambitious and wants to keep pushing his acquisition to titles.
“He paid money for it, so I don’t think he wants to let go of that ambition.”said Thomas Tuchel after the FA Cup final against Liverpool last weekend. “We’ll be sharing our opinion in more detail over the next few weeks and I’m sure it’s also ambitious to build a competitive Chelsea for the highest level.” This has been the basis of scouting and discussions with agents behind the scenes, although it has been limited in scope compared to their unsanctioned rivals.
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Chelsea will likely be looking to sign several players, but that will depend on buyouts, player sales and the return of players on loan. Conor Gallagher is expected to return from Crystal Palace and fight for his place, although his status has yet to be confirmed. The rest of the players on loan will be fighting to be in the squad, while some contracts need to be worked out, including those of Jorginho, N’Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta.
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