CHELSEA have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Sevilla's Jules Kounde.
The Blues have been widely reported to be interested in making the defender one of the first signings of the Todd Boehly era at the club.
The Frenchman, who can also cover at right-back, joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019 but is reported to be on the move again.
The intrigue comes a year after the same transfer fell through late in the window.
Now Sevilla chief Jose Maria Cruz de Andres has confirmed Kounde wishes to move on – and even name dropped Chelsea as an option.
He said: “Again, the player, I am sure, respects Sevilla FC. He is happy with us. In the case of Kounde, it is not a matter of money. It’s a matter of him wanting to play in a more competitive team than Sevilla FC.
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“I am sure he is a player that is attractive for teams like Chelsea, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and these types of teams. He wants to play in a more competitive team.”
The deal would see Sevilla lose both of their starting centre-backs this summer, after Aston Villa secured a deal for Diego Carlos.
Kounde, who has nine caps for France, is the leading name on Thomas Tuchel's list of centre-backs this summer.
This is despite an expansive list of targets, involving the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Presnel Kimpembe.
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The wide interest comes after Chelsea lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen as their contracts came to an end.
Rumours of departures for Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta could twist the Blues' arm to act quickly in this window, as they try to keep up the hunt of Liverpool and champions Manchester City.
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