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According to multiple sources, Chelsea are very keen on the signing of promising Sevilla centre-half Jules Kounde. If rumours are to be believed, Chelsea are ready to table their opening bid for Kounde, who reportedly has a £68 million release clause in his contract.
Fabrizio Romano previously reported that Chelsea have made 'direct contact' with the selling club despite a fee having been agreed with West Ham. That could prove to be a stumbling block in their pursuit of Jules Kounde.
However, the Hammers have not managed to reach an agreement regarding the personal terms of the 22-year-old. According to reports, Chelsea have already reached a personal agreement with the French international, but will have to shell out upwards of £55-60 million to secure his signing.
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That might force Chelsea to look at other alternatives in the centre-back position. On that note, here's a look at five alternatives whom Chelsea could eye instead of Jules Kounde:
#5 Dan-Axel Zagadou
If Chelsea are looking to add depth to their defensive ranks, Dan-Axel Zagadou could prove to be a perfect fit.
Only 22, Zagadou has showcased immense class and stability in Borussia Dortmund's backline during his limited time on the pitch. The former France U21 international is a graduate of the PSG academy, and could be on the lookout for more playing time elsewhere.
Zagadou signed for the Bundesliga outfit just months after Thomas Tuchel's departure from the club. But the Chelsea manager would surely be aware of Zagadou's defensive prowess and immense potential.
The young Frenchman could also prove to be a signing for the long term, as he is only bound to get better with age. According to transfermarkt, Zagadou has a valuation of around £16 million, and could provide good resale value even if he doesn't prove to be a fit in Chelsea's backline.
#4 Maxence Lacroix
Wolfsburg defender Maxence Lacroix was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea by several reliable sources, and the Blues still have over a week to land their man.
Lacroix is regarded by many as one of the most promising centre-backs in the continent. The 21-year-old has grown from strength to strength since his move to Wolfsburg in the summer of 2020. He could prove to be a long-term replacement for the likes of Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva in Chelsea's backline.
Lacroix showcased his stellar defensive prowess during the 2020-21 season, and has garnered interest from PSG and RB Leipzig. The Frenchman proved to be a defensive rock in Wolfsburg's backline, and could likely move to a traditionally 'bigger' European club by the end of the ongoing summer transfer window.
The young centre-half missed only five of Wolfsburg's matches in the 2020-21 season, registering two goals and an assist in 36 appearances. According to Football London, Thomas Tuchel is a 'big fan' of Lacroix, who could cost Chelsea upwards of €30 million.
#3 Pau Torres
Pau Torres, whom Chelsea could acquire as a Jules Kounde alternative, enjoyed a stellar campaign in the 2020-21 season; he played a key role in Villarreal's first major European trophy.
The Spaniard also faced off against Chelsea in the recently-held UEFA Super Cup, where Villarreal held the heavy favourites for a 1-1 draw after extra time. The Yellow Submarines, though, lost out to Chelsea in the penalty shootout, but Torres was highly impressive throughout the course of the 120 minutes that night.
Torres was plying his trade at Segunda Division side Malaga just two years back, but has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence through his consistent performances. The Spaniard fits the description of an ideal modern centre-back. He has a towering presence in the defensive third, and possesses good speed; he can also pick out a good pass.
The likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid have been heavily linked with Pau Torres in recent years. According to several estimates, the centre-back could set Chelsea back £51 million, but could prove to be a valuable addition to the squad.
#2 Kalidou Koulibaly
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly has established himself as one of the finest centre-halves in the continent, and has been linked with several top clubs in the ongoing transfer window.
Chelsea will have to face off against the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid for the signature of Koulibaly, though. However, Napoli's asking price for their world-class defender could prove to be a stumbling block, as has been the case several times over the past few years.
According to the Daily Star and multiple other sources, Napoli have placed a €60 million price tag on the ageing Koulibaly. Liverpool have reportedly backed out of a deal for the Frenchman owing to differences in his valuation, as the 30-year-old will have potentially little resale value.
However, if Chelsea were to splurge the cash for Koulibaly, he would fit straight into the Blues' starting XI. Chelsea's signing of then 35-year-old Thiago Silva proved to be a masterstroke, as he's only getting better with age. Koulibaly certainly has the potential to produce something similar.
#1 Niklas Sule
According to various reports, Chelsea have earmarked Niklas Sule as one of their primary targets in the transfer market, following a stalemate in his contract negotiations.
The German is a key player in Bayern Munich's defence, but his contract is set to expire at the end of the 2021-22 season. That effectively means Sule has only six months left on his contract, and other clubs can offer the German a pre-contract offer starting in January.
The Bundesliga champions recently completed the signing of Dayot Upamecano, but will be reluctant to let Sule leave this summer. Following the departure of David Alaba, Bayern are slightly understocked in the centre-back position, and that might add a few million to Sule's asking price.
A new report by German publication Sport Bild has stated that the 30-time German champions would only consider letting Sule go for a double-digit million euro fee this summer. Chelsea have been pretty thrifty in the ongoing summer transfer window, and could splash the cash for the German international.
