La Liga club director labels Chelsea’s summer bid for 22-year-old ‘most important’ in team’s history

Sevilla sporting director reveals the importance of Chelsea proposal for Jules Kounde this summer amidst January interest

Speaking to Canal Sur Radio (h/t The Sun), Sevilla director Monchi has revealed that the bid they received for Chelsea-linked Jules Kounde this summer was the most important one in their history as the Blues look to go back in January.

The 22-year-old has been incredible for the Spanish outfit since he made the move from Bordeaux in 2019. In just a couple of seasons, the French defender has become a mainstay at the back for the club and featured heavily in the club’s Europa League triumph in 2020.

Chelsea were planning to get a deal over the line for the defender and also tried to orchestrate a £43million move for him. However, the La Liga club refused as they remained still on their £60million asking price.

Sevilla director Monchi has now revealed the importance of the bid and that they did not receive the offer at the right time. Monchi told Canal Sur Radio (h/t The Sun):

“The proposal for Kounde last summer was great, the most important we received in our history – but it wasn’t meeting our price tag. Also, we received the bid in an inopportune moment.”

However, the Blues are not giving up on the chase of the centre-back as they are eyeing a deal for him again in January itself but will face competition from rivals Manchester United.

It is, however, pivotal that the London club secure some reinforcements. This is because the quartet of Thiago Silva, Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, and Cesar Azpilicueta will be out of contract next summer.

More Chelsea News

• Transfer News: Chelsea target Erling Haaland could be open to a move to England next season
• Thomas Tuchel praises the Chelsea goalkeeping roster following continued heroics
• Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel in hot water for his comments on referee Anthony Taylor?

Azpilicueta has been targeted by Barcelona, while Rudiger has garnered interest from Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur. Tuchel is keen on an extension for Christensen, who is the youngest of the lot while Thiago Silva might consider retirement given that he will be 38 by the start of next season.

Thus, while the Blues failed in the summer, a move for Kounde in January could be back on the cards amidst the contract uncertainties in their defensive line.