Chelsea: Boehly 'negotiating' for £65m Frenchman at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea’s proposed move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is ‘still being negotiated’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 23-year-old has been on the shortlist at Stamford Bridge for around 12 months now but seems as far away as ever from actually making the switch.

Back in June, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano stated that Kounde remained the ‘priority’ for Chelsea and that ‘talks are well advanced’ following the failed negotiations of last summer.

Spanish outlet Sport then reported that the Blues had agreed personal terms with the centre-back, who has agreed to put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

However, Chelsea are yet to reach an agreement with Sevilla. It’s believed the La Liga side are demanding around £65 million for their prized asset, less than his £68.5m release clause.

Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in Kounde, yet Sevilla news outlet Orgullo De Nervion have claimed that a deal could now be back on with Chelsea.

The departure of former chief Marina Granovskaia understandably disrupted talks but it’s claimed that the capital club have ‘opened negotiations’ and want to get the transfer completed ‘as soon as possible.’

Jones has also reiterated to GiveMeSport that the proposed transfer is ‘definitely not dead’, although admits he believed it would have advanced quicker than it has.

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He told GMS: “It’s still being negotiated, Kounde, it’s definitely not dead. So, let’s not rule this out from happening. It’s obviously become more dragged on than I even expected.

“I knew it wouldn’t be done immediately, but I did think it will be done pretty early into the Boehly reign, and this probably isn’t that early anymore.”

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