Chelsea are frustrated as their transfer plans may have been hampered as a result of a last-minute agreement between Barcelona and Sevilla to acquire Jules Kounde, according to reports in Spain.
The two teams had been vying to sign the France international this summer. However, Chelsea seemed to have made a definitive move by agreeing to a cost of about £55 million.
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, was even seen on camera assuring a fan that Kounde would be moving to Chelsea. The defender supposedly received a call from the blues manager Thomas Tuchel, which convinced him to come to West London.
However, the Catalan club never gave up on trying to sign Kounde. Their representatives have been in contact with their Sevilla counterparts all night and early in the morning. Sevilla had previously doubted that Barcelona would be able to match or even come close to Chelsea’s £55 million offer, but after the Blaugrana pulled another financial “lever,” they have now verbally agreed to terms.
Kounde has an agreement with both the clubs on personal terms. However, he prefers a move to the Blaugrana.
What Does This Mean For Chelsea?
Chelsea will be very disappointed with how this saga has turned out. The Blues are looking to reassemble their backline after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. Although they signed Kalidou Koulibaly, they are looking for another defender.
They were in the market for Nathan Ake and Matthijas De Ligt. Ake decided to stay at City, while De Ligt moved to Bayern Munich. Now if Kounde joins the Catalans, Chelsea will have to look elsewhere.
They are still waiting to see if Kounde is possible though. Presnel Kimpembe and Josko Gvardiol are some of the options being explored by the Blues if the French international chooses Barcelona.
Follow us on Twitter for more football updates.
