Atletico Madrid have become another candidate for signing Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma, according to reports in Spain.
Zouma recently found himself at the center of a transfer battle, despite his willingness to stay at Chelsea. The Frenchman has been with the Blues since 2014, making 150 appearances on both sides of loan spells with Saint-Etienne, Stoke City and Everton. However, there has been growing speculation about a release over the past week.
Chelsea reportedly tried to send Zouma to Sevilla as a weight in their opening offer for Jules Kounde. The attempt was not entirely successful, although both players remain in line to move. Kounde is currently Chelsea’s main target and they are hoping to strike a deal with or without Zouma the other way around.
The 26-year-old has also been linked with other destinations instead of Sevilla. For example, West Ham was ready to offer him a move across London. It just seems financially out of reach for them, however.
But Zouma is back on the transfer agenda in Spain, where Atletico are the latest team to be linked. According to Fichajes, he is one of the three options they are considering to strengthen their defense.
The others are Benoit Badiashile from Monaco and Nico Elvedi from Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, Zouma is the first name mentioned in the report and is said to be Atletico’s main target.
Fichajes says the Spanish champions admire him because of his “physique and strength”. Chelsea “intend to part ways” with him this summer to make way for Koundé, so he may well be available at the right price.
Zouma has two more years on his contract with Chelsea, so this might be the optimal time for them to sell him before his value drops too much.
He played 24 times in the Premier League last season, including nine appearances after Thomas Tuchel took over as coach in January. It is increasingly doubtful whether he will add more under the German tactician.
“Koundé is the future”
Chelsea have to sell a center-back to allow Kounde to join him, with Zouma appearing to be the likely victim.
While the latter has done reasonably well for the club, the Sevilla man would be an upgrade – an opinion supported by a former Chelsea man.
“(Kounde) is a fantastic player,” Frank Leboeuf told ESPN. “He’s got it all and he’s a warrior and he never gives up. It has everything and it is the future for sure.
“Maybe it’s an opportunity for Chelsea to maybe not have it this season, but next season.
“I don’t know what Koundé wants to do with his life, if he’s ready to be on the bench more than he thinks. It’s up to him to decide. It would be a good signing for Chelsea.
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