Chelsea’s transfer plans up in smoke with Kounde set for surgery on long-term issue after being forced off for France

CHELSEA have suffered a transfer blow after target Jules Kounde limped off for France last night and now requires surgery.

The 23-year-old defender has been heavily linked with the Blues as Thomas Tuchel searches for defensive reinforcements.

Both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are departing on free transfers and the Sevilla ace seems the perfect replacement.

The LaLiga club’s chief Jose Maria Cruz de Andres recently confirmed Kounde wishes to move on - and even name dropped Chelsea as an option.

He said: “Again, the player, I am sure, respects Sevilla FC. He is happy with us.

“In the case of Kounde, it is not a matter of money. It’s a matter of him wanting to play in a more competitive team than Sevilla FC.

“I am sure he is a player that is attractive for teams like Chelsea, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and these types of teams.

“He wants to play in a more competitive team.”

However, Tuchel was hit with a devastating knock back on Monday when the star was subbed off in France’s Nations League defeat to Croatia.

And his national boss Didier Deschamps revealed afterwards that he now requires surgery on a long-term injury issue.

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Speaking after the game, Deschamps refused to give an indication on how long the ace would be sidelined for or elaborate on what the injury problem was.

But he did state: “I knew very well his physical condition today.

“Tomorrow [Tuesday] he will have a [surgical] intervention because he has a problem that has been going on for several months.”