Kurt Zouma ‘seems open’ to Sevilla swap, alongside €30-35m for Jules Koundé — reports

Chelsea talks with Sevilla for Jules Koundé appear to be progressing steadily, with the latest reports making it sound like a part-exchange deal could actually be happening, which would involve Kurt Zouma in addition to Chelsea paying a transfer fee of €30-35m. Such arrangements are rare, but there is precedent in Sevilla arranging a similar deal with Spurs for Bryan Gil (Erik Lamela + €25m) just the other day.

One of the reasons swap deals are rare is because they involve double the moving parts of a standard transfer, which are already complicated enough with just one player involved. But Zouma, who has two years left on his contract, “seems to be open” to a move to sunny Spain — though his wages could prove a stumbling block.

Sevilla reportedly value Koundé at around €65m, which would make Zouma’s transfer value about half that amount, with Chelsea making up rest in cash. Sevilla had rejected a €55m approach last summer from Manchester City, but apparently are willing to settle for a little less than the €80m release clause in the 22-year-old’s contract.

In any case, things seems to be progressing well, though Koundé going to have a fair bit of expectation to live up to if we (essentially) end up giving up Zouma, Tomori, and Guéhi for him!