Monchi, sporting director at La Liga outfit Sevilla, has on Monday provided an insight into the future of in-demand defender Jules Kounde, amid long-standing links with Chelsea.

French international Kounde was of course widely expected to make the move to Stamford Bridge last summer, amid lengthy negotiations between the respective boards at Chelsea and Sevilla.

In the end, however, the former saw their efforts come up short, as Sevilla stood firm in their demands that the club's star defender's release clause be paid in full.

The widespread assumption was that Chelsea would ultimately return to the table with a fresh proposal this time round, though, on the back of the respective departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

And yet, to this point, no such offer has been forthcoming.

This comes with the new look transfer team in west London understood to be prioritising moves for Juventus' Matthijs de Ligt, and compatriot Nathan Ake of Manchester City.

Speaking on Monday, it therefore came as little surprise when the aforementioned Monchi was asked for the latest on Chelsea's interest in Kounde.

The Sevilla chief, though, gave little away, admitting that whilst he is aware of the Blues' ongoing search for defensive reinforcements, Kounde is wanted by clubs both 'in England and other countries'.

“I know that Chelsea have to find two centre-backs,” Monchi explained to Onda Cero. “But the interest in Kounde comes from England and other countries. I would have to be a fortune teller to know what is going to happen.

“There are calls from everywhere. The money is starting to roll in a little. It is what we have left until August 31.”


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