Chelsea have £59m transfer lined up as soon as Todd Boehly’s takeover is complete

have put plans in place to sign Sevilla’s £59million-rated defender Jules Kounde as soon as Todd Boehly’s consortium have completed their takeover, according to reports.

The Blues are currently unable to discuss or make transfers – or hand out new contracts – and will lose both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen for nothing when their contracts expire at the end of next month.

With Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso also believed to be keen on a move this summer, Chelsea are now prioritising bringing in defensive reinforcements in what has dubbed a ‘rebuild’.

Kounde has long been on the west club’s radar and they came close to signing the Frenchman last summer, though Sevilla refused to sell unless his €80million (£67m) release clause was met.

Chelsea felt that was too high at the time but, according to , are ready to re-test the Spanish side’s resolve.

This time around the situation is slightly different, with Sevilla needing to raise around £38m before June 30 to balance their books and remain within La Liga’s financial regulations.

They are prepared to cash in on Kounde and would want a quick sale, with much of the ground work for the deal already done last summer.

Chelsea already had a verbal agreement in place with Kounde about moving to Stamford Bridge and he remains keen to join the club despite the paralysis surrounding them following the sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich.

Sevilla are asking for a fee of around £59m, which Chelsea feel is a fairer price than what was being demanded last year – while their need for a new centre-back has also increased dramatically due to the looming exits of Rudiger and Christensen.

Boehly and his consortium are keen to invest in the club immediately and a move for Kounde will be the club’s first priority as soon as the takeover is complete and the sanctions are lifted.

As well as signing Kounde, Chelsea are also believed to be in the market for a left-sided centre-back – with RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol top of their list – while a new striker, midfielder and backup left-back could also be on the agenda.

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