Chelsea’s Transfer Plans Could Take A Hit As Top Target To Undergo Surgery [Details]

Chelsea reportedly could deal with a transfer blow as one of their top targets Jules Kounde is going to have surgery on a long-term injury issue.

Kounde, who has been Chelsea’s target for a year now, could not join the Blues last summer after the Premier League club failed to reach an agreement with Sevilla.

23-year-old Kounde started for France on Monday in their UEFA Nations League 1-0 defeat at home to Croatia but played out of position at right-back. Kounde, who was an unused substitute in France’s previous two outings this month, was subbed off against Croatia at half-time.

Referring to Kounde’s substitution in a post-match interview Monday, France boss Didier Deschamps said it was not a tactical decision. The head coach revealed that Kounde has been struggling with an injury for several months and had decided to postpone the surgery until France’s latest Nation League rounds, but will soon go under the knife.

"I knew very well his physical condition today. Tomorrow [Tuesday] he will have an [surgical] intervention because he has a problem that has been going on for several months," Deschamps told reporters after France’s 1-0 loss when he was asked about substituting Kounde, according to OneFootball.

Deschamps did not open up on the extent of Kounde’s injury or how long the Sevilla defender will be sidelined.

Meanwhile, Sevilla’s Kounde wants a move to Chelsea in the ongoing summer window, and negotiations between both the clubs are currently underway, according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg, who has a credible record in the European transfer markets.

Kounde made his first-team debut with French club Bordeaux in January 2018. He made 19 appearances in his maiden campaign before playing a full season with the club in 2018-19. The following summer, Sevilla landed Kounde, who is now contracted with the La Liga side until 2024.