Chelsea have finally reached an agreement with Sevilla for the services of French defender Jules Kounde. The London Blues will pay the Spaniards £55m for the player's signing, as it ends Thomas Tuchel's long pursuit to secure the defender's move to Stamford Bridge.
Kounde is expected to undergo a routine medical examination tomorrow. It is learned that the player has already communicated with coach Tuchel, and hopes to join the team on the pre-season tour in America. This was Chelsea's third approach in a few days, following the formalization of Kalidou Koulibaly and Raheem Sterling.
Tuchel first tried to bring Kounde to Chelsea in January. The negotiations failed due to the price demanded by Sevilla, who at the time claimed the full amount provided for in the termination clause of the contract. Later in June, Kounde suffered an injury while in action in the Nations League.
This led to the defender undergoing minor surgery, thereby jeopardizing a move to Chelsea. The London Blues began looking for other alternatives, including Manchester City's Nathan Ake. But apparently, the German coach decided to go back to Sevilla's Frenchman, eventually signing Kounde.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are ready to make another move in the market, and it is about Leipzig's centre-back, Josko Guardiol. The Croatian featured in 46 matches for the German club last season, contributing to success in the DFB Pokal as well as qualification to the Champions League.
Guardiol's skills are unquestionable, and Chelsea really need quality in the defensive department, especially after the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger. The London Blues have agreed the transfer of Kalidou Kouliably and Jules Kounde, meaning that if Josko Guardiol's approach also goes through, he will be the third defender to join the English side this summer.
