Premier League: Top three failed transfers this summer window
By Varun Aithal
#1) Jules Kounde to Chelsea
Chelsea were in search of a new central defender despite extending the contract of Thiago Silva. The Blues had every position covered, barring a forward and center back.
The Blues snapped up Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan and they were linked with a move to Kounde and Saul Niguez as well.
As the last day of the summer transfer window neared, Chelsea inched closer and closer to signing Kounde. The club had already sold Fikayo Tomori, Marc Guehi and Kurt Zouma for a combined fee of £79.8 million to help raise funds for the defender purchase.
"Chelsea have seen their moves for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde and Atlético Madrid’s Saúl Ñíguez stall before Tuesday night’s transfer deadline. Sevilla are holding out for at least £60m for Kounde, their 22-year-old defender, and Atlético are increasingly unwilling to send Saul on loan. (Via: Guardian)"
Chelsea offered a sum of €55 million for the French defender, but Sevilla continued to hold out for the €70 million they valued the player at, until the last day.
Despite endless negotiations, the Blues failed to breach the deadlock on the deadline day and the player remained with the Spanish outfit.