The Jules Kounde deal to join Chelsea is now off according to Fabrizio Romano. Chelsea have shown interest in the player for nearly two years and even with the arrival of Romelu Lukaku were very keen to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge before the summer transfer window closed.
Jules Kounde Deal Off as Sevilla Move the Goalposts
Sevilla Demand More
Chelsea have long admired Kounde as a new centre-back but now the club have pulled out of the deal due to Sevilla increasing their valuation for the player by around £13 million. Chelsea believed a verbal agreement was in place but as has been seen with the Harry Kane saga this summer, verbal agreements should be taken with a heavy pinch of salt. Chelsea do still want to sign Kounde but only if the Spanish side drop their asking price and that seems unlikely with the deadline drawing ever closer.
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Chelsea have sold Kurt Zouma to London rivals West Ham United leaving them light at the back after the French defender signed a four-year deal at the London Stadium. The funds from that sale were to be used to seal the deal for Kounde but with Sevilla making a last-minute change it looks like Chelsea would be left with a dilemma at the back.
Chelsea are tipped to be major Premier League title contenders this season but this likely failed transfer deal would be a big blow and leave the West London club frustrated, with Thomas Tuchel already having missed out on Raphael Varane who opted to join Manchester United from Real Madrid.
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