Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Jules Kounde from Sevilla in the coming weeks and are exploring different ways of securing the best deal for the France defender.
Kurt Zouma, who is wanted by West Ham United this summer, was touted to be included in part of a player-plus-cash deal for Kounde.
However, according to a report from The Athletic, the Blues centre-back is “settled in London”, which could mean a move to the Hammers is more likely for Zouma.
But this does not mean that a player-plus-cash deal has now become impossible for the west London club and this is because of Andreas Christensen.
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The same report claims that Sevilla are ‘admirers’ of Christensen, but as it stands, Chelsea are looking to keep hold of the Denmark defender, who impressed for his country at the Euros recently.
The Blues reportedly opened talks with the 25-year-old over a new contract at Stamford Bridge, but this interest from Sevilla could change their stance on his future.
It depends what Marina Granovskaia and Chelsea’s board think is best for the club overall – keeping hold of Christensen, or allowing him to leave and therefore driving the price down for their first choice defensive target.
Christensen, speaking in April, issued an update on his future in west London.
The Dane said: “I’ve shown that I’m here for the long run. I’ve been here almost nine, 10 years now.
“I’ve never doubted my decision [to come to Chelsea] and I’ve always been here for the long run. I accept that the club sometimes changes managers, and that can make it hard to always be in the team.
“After the loan spell [at Borussia Monchengladbach] I came back and played a good amount and since then it’s been a bit in and out, but it’s nice at the moment to play back-to-back games and my confidence is growing with each game.
“There have not been any talks [on a contract extension] yet, but like I said, I’m in this for the long run and I always have been. I feel like this is my second home. Denmark will always be my home, but Chelsea will always be my place.”
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