Chelsea ‘pulled out’ of Jules Kounde deal due to ‘doubts’ before Barcelona move, Sevilla’s Monchi reveals

Chelsea “pulled out” of a deal for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde due to “doubts” over how he would fit into Thomas Tuchel’s squad, according to the Spanish club’s director of football, Monchi.

Monchi has now revealed, though, that a deal was in place to take Kounde to the London club before Chelsea hesitated on concluding the transfer, allowing Barcelona an opportunity to table a bid of their own.

Sevilla subsequently reached an agreement on a club-record sale to the Catalan club.

Monchi explained: “There were more suitors for Kound at the beginning of the market than at the end, and above all, the one who has stayed is Chelsea, who in the last month have kept us busy and negotiating to the point that last Thursday we reached a verbal agreement and so did the player.

“They didn’t doubt Jules’ quality but his place within the squad.

“Everything stopped over the weekend, and then Barcelona appeared. It’s important to mention this, but the first time [Barcelona sporting director Mateu] Alemany got in contact on Monday. They showed their interest in signing Kound.

A potential return to the club for Nathan Ake now also appears unlikely.

Leicester’s Wesley Fofana has been mentioned as a potential player of interest, but reports have suggested his current club will command a significant fee.