According to reports, Chelsea has renewed its interest in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, while also keeping an eye on in-demand Bournemouth player Dean Huijsen.
The Blues have invested millions in their roster since the Boehly-Clearlake takeover in 2022, but defensive reinforcements remain critical.
The club has been linked with a number of centre-backs in recent transfer windows, notably Huijsen, who has sparked interest from prominent European teams following his outstanding season with the Cherries.
According to Sport, Chelsea are ready to re-sign Kounde, whom they attempted to get from Seville in 2022 before he moved to Barcelona for £46 million.
According to the report, the club is particularly interested in signing a defender who can provide support at full back. The Frenchman has almost exclusively played in this position for the LaLiga giants.
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His redeployment to the wing first came under former Barcelona manager Xavi, but current head coach Hansi Flick has continued to field the 26-year-old as right back.
The news follows suggestions that the Blues are willing to pay a premium for Cherries defender Huijsen this summer.
Madrid appears to be the most likely destination for the 19-year-old, who earned his senior debut for Spain against his native Netherlands last week.
Not only does he appear to be on his way to become one of the world’s best centre-backs, but the ball-playing defender is said to have a release clause of only £50 million.
Naturally, he is on the radar of Los Blancos, who, according to Spanish station Cadena SER, recently hosted Huijsen’s father to their Valdebebas training field, where he had a chance meeting with club president Florentino Perez.
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