Chelsea have reportedly been handed a boost in their bid to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
On Sunday afternoon, Blues head coach Thomas Tuchel revealed that Antonio Rudiger had informed him that he would be departing Stamford Bridge in the summer.
With previous reports having also claimed that Andreas Christensen will leave West London in June, the Premier League club will effectively enter the next transfer window two defenders short.
However, according to PA, Chelsea could be in a position to sign Kounde, a long-term target for the West London outfit.
Having spent an extra year at Sevilla than perhaps anticipated at one stage, the France international is said to have told his current club that he remains keen on taking a new challenge.
Although the 23-year-old possesses a release clause in the region of £68m, Chelsea will look to negotiate a lower fee with Sevilla, who are aware that the player will not extend his contract past 2024.
Darren Plant
