Chelsea set to return for Jules Kounde and could land defender in £42m transfer with Sevilla needing to balance books

CHELSEA are set to reopen their interest in Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

And reports suggest a bid of around £42million will be enough to bring the defender to Stamford Bridge as the LaLiga outfit try to get a grip on their finances.

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The Blues reportedly had a bid of £47m rejected last summer as Sevilla held out for £60m.

But AS now claims the Spaniards may be willing to accept less than that in a bid to ‘balance the books’.

The sides appear ready to negotiate new terms on a possible move next summer.

It is too late to make any deal this winter with the transfer window due to slam shut on Monday.

Kounde is one of the most coveted defenders in Europe.

The 23-year-old has won seven caps for France after making his international debut against Wales in June last year.

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Chelsea could face a transfer battle with Premier League rivals if they are to land Kounde’s signature.

Liverpool were reported to be tracking the star and even appeared willing to pay his £75m release clause.

But they wanted him in January, so it remains unclear if they will still be part of the equation next summer.

Boss Thomas Tuchel is likely to need defensive reinforcements in West London by the end of the season.

Centre-back Antonio Rudiger looks set to leave, while Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are yet to sign contract extensions.

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