Chelsea make Barcelona defender 'top target' for summer transfer window

Chelsea are reported to have identified Barcelona defender Jules Kounde as their top target for the summer transfer window.

The Blues are looking to bolster at the back this summer and have been heavily linked with Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen, whose £50m release clause has also attracted the interest of Real Madrid.

SPORT, however, state Kounde sits highest on Chelsea's transfer wish list, with the Blues now ready to reignite a transfer push which failed back in 2022.

Chelsea were widely thought to be leading the race for Kounde when he was made available for sale by Sevilla three years ago, only for the Blues to eventually pull out of a deal and open the door to Barcelona to swoop in and seal a deal worth around €55m (£46m).

Those links began to resurface earlier this year, but now Chelsea are said to have firmly settled on Kounde as their dream target because of his ability to play both on the right and in the centre of defence.

A "big bid" is expected to arrive in Catalonia soon but Kounde, as it stands, would rather continue in Barcelona, although much will depend on negotiations over a new contract.

Kounde's current deal expires in 2027 and the Frenchman is well aware that he could earn more money at Stamford Bridge, where he would also have the opportunity to return to his favoured position of centre-back.

Wary of Chelsea's threat, Barcelona are ready to accelerate contract negotiations with Kounde, who is now seen as the club's most pressing contractual issue.

If Chelsea fail with their approach for Kounde, they are expected to focus their efforts on signing Huijsen. Axel Disasi and Trevoh Chalobah will be made available for transfer to make room in the squad, while there are also doubts about the futures of Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile.

READ THE LATEST TRANSFER NEWS & GOSSIP FROM AROUND THE WORLD