Chelsea News Today 28 July 2021

#Chelseanewsnow#Chelseanews#Chelsea#Chelseatransfernews 1. Chelsea open talks with Sevilla over Jules Kounde transfer after defender indicates willingness to join Blues. Chelsea are hopeful of striking a deal to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde after the Frenchman indicated a willingness to move to Stamford Bridge. The France international has established himself as one of the most promising centre-backs in Europe during his two seasons with Sevilla. The 21-year-old impressed for the Spaniards last season until they were knocked out of the Champions League by Dortmund. Kounde’s now got a taste for Europe’s premier competition and he watched on as Chelsea lifted the Champions League in May by beating Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel is keen to strengthen his defence and Gianluca Di Marzio says the Blues have now opened official negotiations with Sevilla over a deal for Kounde. Kounde is said to have said ‘yes’ to Chelsea’s proposal, meaning the Blues need only to agree a fee with the La Liga club. Sevilla reportedly value Kounde at around £50m and Chelsea could help to raise funds for the defender by offloading Kurt Zouma. Tottenham are interested in signing the 26-year-old and Chelsea would accept bids of around £21m for his services. 2. Bayern Munich have told Chelsea that Robert Lewandowski will not be sold this summer. Chelsea are in the market for a new striker this summer and have made Erling Haaland their top target, even though the Borussia Dortmund forward will cost at least £150 million. The Champions League holders have been looking at alternatives and Lewandowski is on their shortlist. The Poland international, who finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 41 goals last season, has just two years remaining on his contract with Bayern and Chelsea had made an approach to the striker’s agent to discuss a possible deal. But Bayern president Herbert Hainer is adamant that Lewandowski will see out his contract and could even commit to a new deal. ‘Firstly, in my opinion, Lewandowski is best striker in the world. We are so happy that we have him in our team,’ Hainer told Goal. ‘He still has two more years on his contract. He will definitely play those with Bayern Munch. ‘I said it already a few weeks ago – I could imagine him staying with us for even longer. He will honour his contract. ‘He will definitely play the next two seasons here in Bayern Munich.’ 3. Danny Drinkwater trends on social media after performance vs Bournemouth. Danny Drinkwater was the name trending on social media after full-time following an impressive first-half performance against the Championship outfit. Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater showed he still has something to offer with an impressive performance in their pre-season friendly against Bournemouth. The 31-year-old, who won the Premier League title with Leicester in 2016, has failed to make any sort of impact at Stamford Bridge. Since arriving in September 2017, the ex-England international has managed just 23 appearances for Chelsea. In that time he has had three spells out on loan at Premier League sides Burnley and Aston Villa and Turkish outfit Kasimpasa. But now he has returned to Chelsea and is hoping to make a case for a starting birth in the upcoming campaign. And he made the perfect start to his pre-season preparations with a superb display at the Vitality Stadium. Chelsea came from behind to win the match 2-1 in their first game since beating Manchester City 1-0 to win the Champions League for a second time. Drinkwater showed off a brilliant range of passing to dictate the pace of the match and set the Blues off on the right foot. However, despite his impressive performance, he faces some world class competition in the Chelsea squad. 4. Southampton bring in Chelsea defender Dynel Simeu on permanent deal. Southampton have signed Chelsea defender Dynel Simeu on a permanent transfer, with the England youth international returning to his home club. Born in Cameroon, Simeu grew up in Southampton after moving to England as a young child and the 19-year-old has gone on to appear for England up to Under-19 level. Simeu’s contract at Chelsea came to an end at the end of last season, but the defender will not be an entirely free signing for the Saints. A fee of £1.5m has been agreed, report Goal.com, with the teenager signing a three-year contract at St Mary’s and promised a far more direct path to the first team than was available at Stamford Bridge. © Copyright by Chelsea News Today ☞ Do not Reup