Chelsea in summer transfer ‘talks’ and loan move ‘progressing well’

Chelsea are ‘in talks’ with Jules Kounde’s representatives in regards to signing the defender this summer, according to reports.

The Frenchman has been a key player for Sevilla since he joined the club from Bordeaux in 2019 for €25m, featuring 119 times, scoring seven goals and assisting his teammates on three occasions.

According to Florian Plettenberg, Thomas Tuchel’s side are in talks with Kounde’s representatives but face competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona for the defender’s signature.

The Blues interest in Kounde could be due to them potentially losing three defenders for free this summer.

Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s contract at Stamford Bridge expire at the end of the current season with none of the trio yet to sign new deals.

As per football.london, Chelsea have been looking at bringing Kounde to the club for some time, with the site claiming Tuchel’s side ‘chased the French defender quite intensely last summer’.

Elsewhere the site claims the Blues are ‘progressing’ with a loan move for former winger Eden Hazard, who left the club for Los Blancos in 2019, as well as weighing up the option to sign Raphinha.

They say the latter is ‘among several prospects’ Chelsea are looking at this summer and despite Leeds United’s poor form, the Brazilian has been a ‘stand out’ performer for the Whites.

However, their pursuit of Raphinha depends on whether Tuchel is eyeing a reunion with Ousmane Dembele at Stamford Bridge in the near future, the site adds.

The pair worked together at Borussia Dortmund during the 2016-17 season in which they lifted the DFB-Pokal.