After a brilliant domestic season with Sevilla and earning a place in Didier Deschamp’s Euro 2020 French squad, there are many admirers of Jules Kounde in this summer’s transfer market, including from the Premier League.
However, the Frenchman is believed to prefer a transfer to Real Madrid, which apparently reveals his wishes for international teammates Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappe.
It was previously thought that Chelsea were in pole position to land the 22-year-old’s signature this summer, but according to the Spanish newspaper ABC, Kounde’s preference is to move to Los Blancos to play for a side competing for “the big titles”.
The report marks Chelsea as one of three Premier League clubs interested in the defender, along with Tottenham and Manchester United, although no official offers have materialized.
A move to Real Madrid may be unlikely due to the financial consequences. ABC suggests that Sevilla would demand that Los Blancos comply with the player’s release clause, which is a reported € 80 million – money that, among the coronavirus pandemics, the club may not be willing to hand out.
Jules Kounde celebrates with Karim Benzema / BERNADETT SZABO / Getty Images
But after Sergio Ramos’ final departure and amid uncertainty over Raphael Varane’s future, Real may need to add another high-quality defender to their ranks, even after the acquisition of David Alaba earlier in the window. The possibility of guaranteed first team football if Varane leaves the club is believed to be the key to Kounde’s preferences.
Staying at La Liga is also considered a factor in the defender’s desire to join Real, having smoothly adapted to life in Spain since moving to Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019. Since then, Kounde has played 89 times for the club and helped them to a title charge and any fourth-placed league finish last semester.
His consistently brilliant performances during the 2020/21 campaign also gave him an international debut against Wales earlier in June and a second cap, and played a full 90 minutes against Portugal on match day three of Euro 2020.
