Chelsea made major changes to their squad during the summer following the arrival of Xabi Alonso as their new manager.
The Blues signed Emiliano Martinez, Maxence Lacroix, Morgan Rogers, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck among several additions.
However, Chelsea have endured an inconsistent start after initially securing victories against Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion.
They subsequently lost against Arsenal and Brentford, while Alonso’s side also dropped points during a draw with Hull City.
Therefore, Alonso is looking for further reinforcements as he continues shaping the squad around his preferred tactical system.
Chelsea are particularly looking for further cover at right-back, while they are also considering Malo Gusto’s future at Stamford Bridge.
According to TEAMtalk, Xabi Alonso wants Chelsea to sign Barcelona defender Jules Kounde after learning about his potential availability.
Chelsea already know Kounde well after competing with Barcelona for his signature before his move from Sevilla in 2022.
The 27-year-old has since played at both right-back and centre-back, with his versatility attracting Chelsea as they monitor his situation.
However, Kounde’s position at Barcelona has changed, with Hansi Flick increasingly preferring Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo.
Kounde has started only one La Liga game this season, while Barcelona have informed his camp about a potential 2027 sale.
A January departure is also being discussed, providing Chelsea with an opportunity to finally bring Kounde to Stamford Bridge.
Moreover, Kounde remains interested in joining Chelsea after previously coming extremely close to completing a move to the London club.
However, Chelsea could face significant competition if they decide to pursue a deal during the January transfer window.
Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United are aware of his availability, while Bayern Munich are also showing interest.
There is further interest from the Saudi Pro League, although Kounde currently prefers to continue playing his football in Europe.
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