Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui is expecting Jules Kounde to be in contention to play when his side face Getafe on Monday night (August 23rd).
Chelsea are said to be determined to sign the 22-year-old this summer but, speaking after Sevilla’s 3-0 win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Lopetegui claimed the defender’s departure is not imminent:
“I don’Wt have the feeling that this is his last game. There is nothing that tells me that he will not continue with us. He played a very good game. Things can happen until 31st August.”
The major stumbling block is thought to be Kurt Zouma’s situation. The Blues are keen to offload the 26-year-old before they make an offer for Kounde.
West Ham are still believed to be keen on signing Zouma, after pulling out of talks for Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic, but there are thought to be issues around personal terms.
The Hammers are not reportedly prepared to pay the Chelsea defender £100,000 a week, but if a compromise could be reached, it could then open the door for Kounde’s switch to Stamford Bridge.
From Lopetegui’s comments, it looks as though the transfer may now only take place in the final week of the transfer window.
