Chelsea have reportedly entered official negotiations with Sevilla to sign French centre-back Jules Kounde. Thomas Tuchel is looking to strengthen at the back and now the 22-year-old could be heading to Stamford Bridge after turning down the chance to join Tottenham.
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Now he is believed to be worth around three times that at closer to £60m and Sevilla chief Monchi has already been forced to rebuff interest from Manchester City.
In the summer of 2020, Sevilla rejected an offer worth around £45m for the France international.
Instead of raising their bid, City turned to Benfica's Ruben Dias, a decision they have not since lived to regret.
Manchester United too had been keen on Kounde before striking a deal to sign Raphael Varane.
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Chelsea are looking to agree a deal for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde (Image: GETTY)
He was one of several options on their summer shortlist a year ago alongside Dayot Upamecano and Nathan Ake.
Sevilla were keen to price any potential buyers out of a deal but now Chelsea look ready to pay up to sign the highly-rated defender.
Fikayo Tomori has already left Chelsea to join AC Milan for around £24million and now Kurt Zouma could follow him out of the door.
The Frenchman is a target for Tottenham and Roma and has struggled to nail down his place in the starting XI.