Chelsea are set to prioritise a move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer, with a view to completing a deal early on in the window.
As per GiveMeSport, the Blues are ready to move once again for the Frenchman, having failed in a bid to sign him last summer.
The defender has been heavily linked with Chelsea for more than a year now, and a deal was close to being agreed 12 months ago but never materialised.
Now, though, it appears that manager Thomas Tuchel will move once again for the player.
The report suggests that personal terms shouldn’t be an issue for either side, as they were close to being agreed last term, meaning that the only obstacle is the transfer fee.
The two clubs’ valuations of Kounde were quite far apart last summer, and the player’s release clause stands at a little over £68 million.
Kounde is once again being heavily linked with a move to Chelsea
Sources within the club are reportedly confident that a deal will be agreed that will see the France international become the first signing of the Todd Boehly era.
The Blues will be in the market for at least one defender this summer, with both Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger set to leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the season.
Both Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta were also set to be out of contract, but the experienced pair have both penned 12-month extensions.
Kounde has played more than 130 games for the Spanish side since joining from Bordeaux in 2019.