Jules Kounde transfer news: Sevilla chief makes ominous admission as Chelsea deal looms

Sevilla expect to lose Chelsea target Jules Kounde this summer after general manager Jose Maria Cruz de Andres admitted the defender wants to play “for a more competitive team”.

Thomas Tuchel almost landed the 23-year-old centre-back last summer, but Sevilla blocked the deal at the last minute. It was a move which left Kounde frustrated, but 12 months on the France star could get his wish of a move away from the LaLiga club.

The Blues thought they had landed Kounde in a £42m deal before Sevilla halted proceedings. They refused a sale for less than his £68.8m release clause and their stance will be likely be similar this summer.

The Sevilla chief, who is also secretary of the board of directors, confirmed Sevilla blocked a move for Kounde. And Cruz de Andres cited a stagnant market.

But he suggested that things are likely to be different this time around with Kounde desperate to take his game to the next level.

“The case with Jules Koundé is very similar to the case of Diego Carlos. Not in the timing because we received offers for Jules Koundé in the last two seasons but always in the summer market,” Cruz de Andres told Sport Witness.

“We have rejected because we thought that this player can improve his performances. It was better to wait because the market at the time was depressing. We thought that waiting a while would [help us] obtain more money.”

Last month The Telegraph claimed Chelsea will go in with a £42m offer this summer, with clauses which will raise it to around £50m.

AS have also stated the player has “already agreed terms” with Chelsea after negotiations last summer.

And it seems like a matter of time before Chelsea make another formal offer for Kounde, who is under contract until 2024.

“Again, the player,