Jules Kounde transfer must depend on four expiring contract decisions at Chelsea

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was desperate to sign Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window and his arrival might be necessary, with several players out of contract next summer at Stamford Bridge

A revived transfer bid for Jules Kounde might depend on how Chelsea deal with four contract situations with a quartet of players set to leave as things stand.

Thomas Tuchel was desperate to bolster his backline in the summer and tried to sign Sevilla star Kounde.

The German has greatly improved the defence since his arrival in January after switching to a back-three.

But after winning the Champions League, Tuchel was keen to impress the club’s new status as European royalty with some marquee signings.

Romelu Lukaku arrived, as well as Saul Niguez – the latter on loan, but it was Kounde the Blues were keen on bringing in and a deal looked like it was ready to go through.

However, Sevilla demanded more money at the last minute and Chelsea pulled out of a deal but that does not mean a transfer is completely off the table.

The west London outfit could revisit a move for the 22-year-old next year – but at that point they might be a bit more desperate.

That is because Chelsea are facing up to something of a contract crisis at the back.

Four players will find themselves free to leave at the end of the season when their terms expire – and they are among Tuchel’s most trusted stars.

Antonio Rudiger’s situation has been reported on heavily amid interest from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid but he is not the only one.

The Germany international has been offered huge wages worth £400,000-a-week, which would sway anyone, it has been reported.

Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s deal also comes to an end in 2022 and losing the Spaniard would be a huge detriment to the dressing room.

The right-back has played a number of positions along his nine years at Stamford Bridge and has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the Europa League, the Carabao Cup and now the Champions League.

Potentially joining him out the exit door is Andreas Christensen and Thiago Silva, both integral parts of Chelsea’s side in a back three.

Should Chelsea sign Jules Kounde? Comment below

If all four leave, the Blues would have just rookie Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr and Reece James as defenders – making a move for Kounde vital.

Chelsea will hope that the situation does not get that bad and there are positive talks with Christensen and a strong hope that Azpilicueta will stay.

Such confidence remains to be seen with Rudiger and Silva and if either leave, let alone both, that would still make signing Kounde crucial in the summer transfer window.