Chelsea are now turning their attention to alternative defensive targets with Barcelona closing in on the signing of Jules Kounde, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.
Thomas Tuchel is currently preparing his side for the start of the 2022-23 season at Stamford Bridge but will want to see some more new arrivals before the transfer window slams shut on September 1.
What is the latest news on Kounde?
Just a matter of weeks ago there was excitement in west London as it was reported Chelsea had reached a verbal agreement with Sevilla for the transfer of Kounde.
But interest from Barcelona never went away and the Catalan giants appear to have hijacked the deal with a £42 million agreement now in place.
It will no doubt come as a blow to Chelsea. After Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left on free transfers at the end of last season, Tuchel was left in need of serious defensive reinforcements.
Kalidou Koulibaly has been signed from Napoli to aid in that endeavour but there remains a need for further recruits at the back.
What has Jacobs said on the Kounde saga?
Jacobs understands that Chelsea have now completely moved on to other defensive transfer targets this summer.
The CBS reporter also emphasised that any agreement the Blues had over Kounde was only ever verbal, and left them vulnerable to other interested parties.
Jacobs told GIVEMESPORT: “Now they are absolutely turning their attention to other targets.
“The other key point, by the way, is that it was always a verbal negotiation and a verbal agreement between the two clubs. There is a danger when you have that type of agreement, that there can be changes because to get from a verbal number, which was broadly agreed, to an official agreement, you can have a late twist.”
What alternatives can Chelsea turn to?
The two most prominent names now being linked with a move to Stamford Bridge are Milan Skriniar and Josko Gvardiol of Inter Milan and RB Leipzig respectively.
Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked with Skriniar but are now reconsidering their approach with Inter demanding £58 million for his services.
Chelsea may therefore be offered a window to swoop in and hijack the deal, although there is no indication that they would be willing to match the asking price for the 27-year-old either.
Gvardiol is incredibly highly rated at Leipzig but according to reports in Spain, Chelsea could launch a bid for the 20-year-old if Cesar Azpilicueta moves closer to a Barcelona transfer.
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