Blues transfer news: Key update on Jules Kounde reveals 'priority right now' at Chelsea

Chelsea‘s priority this summer is to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, says transfer insider Dean Jones

The west London club failed to sign any players in the January transfer window, but Jones is expecting a different theme when the market reopens as they pursue a deal for Kounde.

The Athletic reported at the start of the month that Kounde remains a target for the Blues going into the summer transfer window.

Chelsea failed to bring the £54m-rated 23-year-old to Stamford Bridge last summer, with Sky Sports previously claiming that Sevilla shifted their asking price after initially agreeing a deal with the European champions.

Nevertheless, it appears that Chelsea are still keen on Kounde, though they could face competition for his signature.

According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Barcelona are also interested in the Frenchman and could look to scupper Chelsea’s move for him as they look to bolster their own defence.

Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that Chelsea are working on other deals, but Kounde is the priority amid the club’s contract crisis at the back.

Speaking to GMS, the football journalist said: “They’re working on it [deals] at the minute, but I mean the priority right now is to get Kounde and sort out this situation before they have to look any further into any other deals.”

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Very likely. With Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen all out of contract at the end of the season, the likelihood is that Chelsea will lose at least one central defender and will need to bring in a replacement.

Kounde is reportedly keen on moving to Stamford Bridge, so a transfer certainly looks more than possible. Again, though, Thomas Tuchel will have to be