Chelsea’s hopes of signing Jules Kounde hit a snag after Kurt Zouma reportedly turned down a move to West Ham.
Kounde is at the top of Thomas Tuchel’s transfer list as Chelsea push for a new defender to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer window.
The Frenchman has a £68m release clause, but the Blues are unwilling to pay that full amount. And Sevilla are still haggling over a price, holding out for around £51m for the player.
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Chelsea tried to include Zouma in the deal to sign Kounde but Sevilla turned down their £30m valuation of the centre-back because they are not convinced enough by the 26-year-old’s resale value.
Tuchel has been told he has to sell a defender before he signs one, with Thiago Silva, Zouma, Antonio Rudiger and Christensen all specialists in the position, while Azpilicueta and Reece James can play on the right side of a back-three.
However, Zouma has fallen down the pecking order and looks the most likely to be shown the exit door. But he has rejected one option & refused to join West Ham, according to The Guardian.
West Ham had held discussions with Chelsea over a fee but after being told that Zouma wasn’t interested, they are now looking at other targets.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have also offered Kenedy and Emerson to Sevilla in an attempt to sweeten the deal and hope to create space in their team to sign the France international.
Meanwhile, their still maintain their priority at the other end of the pitch with a fresh offer being prepared for former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku.
