Barcelona could pull the plug on talks to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde in a boost to Chelsea’s hopes of landing their long-standing target.
The 23-year-old France international has a top name on the shopping list at Stamford Bridge with the Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel on the hunt for much-needed reinforcements to shore up his defensive roster.
Kounde, however, was recently linked with a move to Camp Nou which came as a setback to Chelsea’s pursuit of the Sevilla mainstay who has been a top performer in Spain’s top flight for his side.
According to a report from Spanish news publication SPORT, the Barca camp appear to have switched its attention away from Kounde this summer due to pricing concerns and consider Monaco’s Benoit Badiashille to be a viable alternative.
The latest twist to Kounde’s future ahead of the start of the new campaign will be a shot in the arm for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel who are keen on moving in for the young Frenchman to fill the void left by the long-serving Antonio Rudiger.
