Sevilla ‘are LIVID with Jules Kounde for aggravating a long-standing pelvic injury on France duty and putting his £69m transfer to Chelsea at risk this summer’ as Thomas Tuchel looks to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen
- Jules Kounde underwent surgery on a long-term pelvic issue on Tuesday
- The Sevilla defender aggravated the issue playing for France on Monday night
- He is wanted by Chelsea with the 23-year-old having a £69million release clause
Chelsea target Jules Kounde has angered Sevilla by re-injuring himself on international duty and potentially damaging a lucrative departure to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Kounde aggravated an old pelvic injury while playing for France in their 1-0 home defeat by Croatia in the Nations League on Monday night – lasting just 45 minutes.
He underwent surgery on Tuesday and according to The Sun, Sevilla are fuming that their £69million asset could have risked being sold this summer.
Jules Kounde’s pelvic injury has angered Sevilla who fear his move to Chelsea could be in doubt – with the defender playing for France despite being hampered by the long-term issue
Kounde last just 45 minutes of France’s 1-0 Nations League defeat by Croatia before his injury
The LaLiga outfit are firmly aware of Chelsea’s interest and wish to capitalise fully on that by holding out for the defender’s full release clause.
Although the 23-year-old’s operation is deemed as minor to fix the long-standing issue, Sevilla are livid that Kounde chose to play for France in the first place while injured and risk jeopardising the deal.
Despite the setback, Sevilla are still hoping to conclude a quick deal with Chelsea who are short of centre backs following Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s departures.
A Sevilla club statement on Kounde read: ‘Kounde will undergo an operation on Tuesday in Bordeaux for a minor pelvis injury.
The 23-year-old has a £69million release clause at Sevilla – which the club hope to recoup fully
‘If everything goes as expected, the French international will be available for the start of the 2022-23 season.’
Depending on the Kounde’s recovery, it may push the Blues into looking at alternate targets, with Sportsmail revealing this month that Chelsea have asked about Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
The clubs are understood to be some distance apart on valuation for the 27-year-old but Skriniar, who has hardly missed a game since signing for Inter in 2017, appearing 215 times, may become more of a priority if Kounde is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Chelsea are due back for pre-season training on July 2.
Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar is a potential target for Chelsea as an alternative to Kounde