Chelsea transfer news: Blues have not made improved Jules Kounde bid says Sevilla chief Monchi
Sevilla chief Monchi has confirmed that Chelsea did make an official bid for defender Jules Kounde, though have not returned with revised terms after it was rejected.
The director of the Spanish giants conducted a press conference on transfer deadline day, in which he revealed that the Blues tabled an offer which was rejected by Sevilla.
In an extraordinary move Monchi outlined the exact steps taken by Chelsea before going on to note how Thomas Tuchel‘s side have now gone quiet regarding the potential transfer.
Sevilla chief Monchi has confirmed that Chelsea have not returned a second Jules Kounde bid
Monchi said: ‘The only written, formal offer from Chelsea came last Wednesday, around 5pm.
‘We weren’t satisfied with the offer, and it was linked to Chelsea selling a player. It was a decent fee but it didn’t meet our criteria.
‘We haven’t spoken with Chelsea since Friday night. We all decided that it was best Jules didn’t travel to Elche. It’s normal for players to be affected by news of any kind. Last year he had the interest from City and now Chelsea this year.’
It had been reported earlier in the transfer window that the two sides had come to an agreement on a £42.7m figure and a deal appeared imminent.
Kounde is currently away on international duty with France as he future remains up in the air
Now, however, talk has emerged that Sevilla have raised their asking price to bring it further in line with Kounde’s release clause – which Chelsea are not willing to meet.
Monchi addressed this subject in his press conference and outlined that the clause has always been the same.
He added: ‘Kounde’s clause never went up to 90 million euros. It has always been 80 million (£67m).’
It is now understood that Sevilla will sanction the sale of Kounde, only if the Blues return with a bid closer to the fee of the player’s release clause.
It would make Chelsea the top spending team of the summer in the Premier League, with Tuchel having already secured the £98m arrival of Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea both freed up space in defense and raised money by the sale of Fikayo Tomori to Milan
