Sevilla chief name-drops Chelsea as he gives confident Jules Kounde transfer update

Sevilla director of football Monchi has provided an update on the future of French defender Jules Kounde amid interest from Chelsea this summer.

The Blues have been linked with a number of centre-backs as they look to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who have joined Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively on free transfers.

While Manchester City ’s Nathan Ake, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and Juventus ’ Matthijs de Ligt have all been linked with interest from the Blues relatively recently, Chelsea have held interest in Kounde for some time and with Thomas Tuchel’s side likely to be in the market for multiple centre-backs this summer, now seems to be the time for a deal to be struck.

Sport Witness have claimed that Barcelona, who completed the free signing of Christensen on Monday afternoon, are also interested in potentially signing Kounde this summer.

Speaking to Onda Cero, per Mundo Deportivo, about the latest on Kounde’s situation, Monchi said that while he is uncertain about where the defender will be playing his football in the 2022/23 campaign, he confirmed there is interest from England, as well as other countries.

“Xavi has good taste wanting Araujo and Kounde as central defenders, it’s not a bad partnership. But so far there has been zero contact with Barcelona,” said Monchi on reported interest from the Catalan club.

“I know that Chelsea have to look for two central defenders, but the interest in Kounde comes from England and other countries. I would have to be a fortune teller to know what is going to happen.

“There are calls from everywhere. The money is starting to roll in a bit. Kounde has established himself with France and will play at the World Cup. It’s logical