Chelsea joined by London rivals in race to sign 22-year-old La Liga star

Transfer News: Arsenal and Tottenham join Chelsea in pursuit of Jules Kounde

According to Transfer Market Web (h/t football.london), Chelsea are set to be joined by London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Jules Kounde.

It was thought that the Sevilla defender was set to make a move to Chelsea this summer while he had also agreed on personal terms with the West London club. 

Although the Blues tried to orchestrate a swap deal including Kurt Zouma, it was not something Zouma was up for as he preferred a move to a Premier League club.

Chelsea were also said to be ‘close’ in finalizing a deal for the Frenchman, but a disagreement with the La Liga club over the centre-back’s valuation led to the Blues failing to get a deal over the line for the 22-year-old. 

Sevilla were holding out for a fee in the region of €80million (£68.5million), something the London club failed to match. Kounde was said to be furious with the Spanish club over this transfer embargo and had apparently also refused to pick up the call of manager Julen Lopetegui and club director Monchi. 

Regardless, it looks like the Blues are set to return for the player’s signature, but they will not be the sole club in the running. As per Transfer Market Web (h/t football.london), Tottenham & Arsenal are set to join the chase to sign the defender, even though the Frenchman had apparently rejected a move to the former earlier this summer.

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Kounde is said to have aspirations of playing Champions League football– something Chelsea could use to lure the player to West London as opposed to their rivals, who are not in Europe’s elite competition this season. 

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether the La Liga club will sanction a deal for the same, especially since the 22-year-old is contracted at the club until 2024.