5:45pm: £69 million defender ‘keen to join’ Chelsea after latest approach, as Blues preparing £50m bid for Bundesliga player
Jules Kounde has reportedly rejected an approach from Tottenham Hotspur as he would prefer to play for a ‘bigger club’ like Chelsea.
The Frenchman was part of the Sevilla team that won the Europa League two season ago under Julen Lopategui. In the season just gone, they held the second-best defensive record in Spain, conceding just 21 goals in 29 games.
That has led to reports in the media that Tottenham are very interested in sealing a transfer deal, as they need to improve that back-line ahead of next season.
But according to Mundo Deportivo, Kounde is not keen on joining Tottenham, due to their lack of Champions League football.
And the report adds Sevilla’s highly-rated centre-back is eager to leave the Spanish club, but for someone who can offer him European action.
The Blues are now the frontrunners to sign the 22-year-old this summer after another impressive season in La Liga, with Thomas Tuchel keen to improve that back-line over the course of the next few months.
Kounde has also recently hinted at a desire for a new challenge as he continues to grow as a player.
‘I’m at a great club,’ he said ahead of France’s latest Euro 2020 fixture. ‘But obviously, I would like to evolve into a bigger team.
‘We will see what the future holds, but it is something in my head.’
Chelsea preparing £50m offer for Bundesliga striker
Chelsea are preparing a £50m offer for Robert Lewandowski, according to The Express via The Sun. The Blues are hot on the heels of Erling Haaland, but it is increasingly clear that the Norwegian will not leave Borussia Dortmund this summer. Thomas Tuchel is desperate to add a new No.9 to his squad and is ready to turn his attentions to alternate targets.
The Premier League giants have identified Lewandowski as the perfect alternative to Haaland and are ready to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will make an ambitious £50m bid to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich after failing in their attempts to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. pic.twitter.com/5Afb4eKhS6— Frank Khalid (@FrankKhalidUK) July 18, 2021.
The Polish striker has previously hinted at a desire to try a new challenge and Chelsea are preparing to grant his wish. Lewandowski is among the most lethal strikers in the world and is coming off a fantastic 2020-21 season, where he scored 48 goals from 40 appearances in all competitions for Bayern Munich.
However, the 32-year-old is indispensable to the Bavarians’ cause, and with two years left on his contract, securing his signature will not be easy.