Chelsea look set to beat Barcelona in the race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, with Todd Boehly preparing to complete the third signing of his era as owner. One year after missing out on the highly-rated centre-back, the Blues are on the verge of adding him to Thomas Tuchel’s ranks ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Chelsea have agreed a deal worth around £55million with Sevilla, and there is a five-year contract on the table for the 23-year-old France international, The Times report.
They have fended off competition from Barcelona due to the Catalan giants’ inability to meet their La Liga rivals’ asking price.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta publicly conceded defeat in the battle for Kounde’s signature earlier this week, telling a supporter in Las Vegas that he was Chelsea-bound.
Boehly has now backed Tuchel with £139m in his first summer transfer window as owner, and more deals are expected to follow.
Kounde will become the third signing of the Boehly era after Raheem Sterling’s £50m arrival from Manchester City and the £34m capture of Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
Alongside attempting to further bolster his defence with a third centre-back, Tuchel also wants to add another forward to his squad.
Chelsea attempted to sign Raphinha and agreed a £55m deal with Leeds United, but Barcelona’s hijack attempt was successful that time around.
The Blues are linked to other attacking names, though, including Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin.
