Chelsea confident of finally completing Jules Kounde deal as Romelu Lukaku loan move mooted

Despite late interest from Barcelona, ​​the Blues are favorites to complete the deal after meeting the player’s £68million release clause and removing all hurdles after Boehly snapped up Roman Abramovich for 4.25 billion pounds.

Todd Boehly’s £4.25billion takeover of Chelsea is complete – let the spending begin.

And the LA Dodgers co-owner won’t waste any time breaking his promise to spend £1.75billion over the next 10 years to improve the team, stadium and academy… because the defender of Sevilla Jules Kounde is set to be the first signing of the Boehly era.

More transfers will follow as head coach Thomas Tuchel rebuilds the Blues defence, which has been decimated by defections in the final days of sanctioned oligarch Roman Abramovich’s ownership.

Julius the First

At £68m, the France international’s release clause doesn’t come cheap. But Chelsea are favorites to strike a deal with Koundé as Tuchel begins his defense overhaul – in which Thiago Silva will likely be this season’s only centre-back when the 2022-23 campaign kicks off.

Antonio Rudiger, Thomas Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso are all absent – ​​but Kounde is set to fill Rudiger’s role as a brawny ‘enforcer’ with enviable distribution powers at the back. Barcelona have reportedly joined the race for 23-year-old Kounde with Mundo Deportivo claiming that Catalan giants coach Xavi sees him as a solution to Camp Nou’s porous defence.

But the Blues remain confident they can land their man, especially as the completion of the takeover removes any uncertainty over Chelsea’s future stability.

The framework of Ousmane In Blues

Barcelona flop Ousmane Dembele could be on his way to Stamford Bridge, with the speedy French striker’s contract due to expire in July and no sign of a new deal agreed.

Dembele, 25, cost Barca £117m five years ago but he hasn’t lived up to the price often enough. According to the Daily Mail, Chelsea are quietly confident of beating Paris Saint-Germain to their signature.

Nkunku flattered

Chelsea are among the big guns exploring a deal for prolific RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku, who is valued at around £60m by the German club.

Nkunku, who has scored 35 goals in 52 appearances for Leipzig this season, said: “It’s good that the biggest clubs in the world are interested in me. But it’s also great to see that Leipzig are doing everything for me. To keep.

Lukaku Ranger Loan

Meanwhile, Chelsea record holder Romelu Lukaku, whose second coming to Bridge has been a big disappointment, could be allowed to leave – but only on loan.

Lukaku’s 15 goals this season are seen as a meager return on the Blues’ £97.5million investment, and his former club Inter Milan are keen to bring him back to San Siro.

But the Italians can’t afford the fee demanded by Chelsea so they are now looking to a possible loan deal – but Tuchel would only be interested in such a deal if he can bring in enough replacements to his line-up. forehead.