Chelsea connected with shock player-plus cash move for Sevilla defender

Chelsea are among the sides keen on Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, and are supposed to consider launching a player-plus cash bid for the Frenchman.

The 22-year-old is seen by many as one of the game’s best young defender, with his form also admiring glances from the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid, however his £69m release clause has kept him in Sevilla until further notice.

Sources have affirmed to Ivisionsport that Manchester United are unfathomably excited about Kounde and are optimistic about the odds of bringing his asking price down, and AS express that Chelsea are presently expecting something similar.

To attempt to try not to pay that full figure for Kounde – Chelsea remain in the £150m race for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland and need to set aside cash somewhere else – Chelsea are anticipating giving Sevilla the choice of a handful of players in return.

The names on the list are a real mishmash. Undesirable loanees like Michy Batshuayi and Tiemoue Bakayoko are there, while reserve goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga could also be offloaded, but two amazing additions are attacking midfielder Hakim Ziyech and striker Tammy Abraham.

Out of this exchange, it’s Ziyech’s inclusion which causes a stir. The Moroccan playmaker, who rejected a move to Sevilla in 2019, just joined the club the last summer in a deal worth up to £37m, in spite of the fact that he is yet to hit the heights expected of him.

In 28 appearances in all competitions, Ziyech has scored only four goals and four assists – form which has seen him struggle to hold down a permanent spot in the setup under either Frank Lampard or current manager Thomas Tuchel.

To see Chelsea cut ties with Hakim Ziyech so soon would come as a huge amazement, in spite of the fact that Chelsea officials may consider it to be an important hit to guarantee they can reinforce their back line with Kounde.

Chelsea will probably attempt to include their undesirable players first. Batshuayi, Bakayoko and Arrizabalaga could all be sold this summer at any rate, so the opportunity to utilize them in a deal for maybe the best young defender around ought not be missed.

An initial bid is anticipated to arrive from Stamford Bridge soon, and by its hints, it very well may be a serious astonishing one.