No formal offer yet, but Chelsea in final ‘countdown’ for Jules Koundé — reports

Chelsea’s pursuit of Jules Koundé, a player we’ve been tracking for a couple years (just as we’re undoubtedly tracking all promising young players thanks to our extensive scouting network), is expected to make some serious progress this week, with reports in Spain claiming that things are set to “accelerate” in the coming days, and we’re in the final “countdown”. Du-du-du-doo du-du-du-dut-du-doooo ... how exciting!

The thing we’re speeding towards as if we’re heading for Venus is a transfer agreement in the region of €60-80m, depending on multiple variables and proposals and all that jazz. Chelsea obviously want the lower end of that range while Sevilla are thinking more upper end, which also matches the 22-year-old’s release clause. It doesn’t look like the transfer will include any players on our end, with Sevilla not interested in Emerson or Kenedy, and Kurt Zouma looking more likely to stay in England.

Promisingly for us, Koundé was once again kept out of a Sevilla friendly (this time against AS Roma on Saturday), though he continues to train with the team. Reports such as this one from ABC claim that Koundé is ready to push for his departure, but wants Chelsea to make a formal offer first, which we apparently haven’t done yet. Hopefully that’s not light years away.