Chelsea are reportedly ready to go all-out in an attempt to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, with Hakim Ziyech said to be among five players they are willing to offer in exchange.
Ziyech moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer for £37.5million but has struggled for form and fitness in his debut Premier League season.
The Moroccan was the first to join the club in a £250million summer spending spree which also saw Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy join the club, while Thiago Silva joined on a free transfer.
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After a pre-season knee injury kept Ziyech out of action initially for Chelsea, he scored two goals and claimed three assists in his first three starts for the club, but has since added just two further goals and one assist in what has turned out to be a difficult first season in England.
He’s made just five starts in Tuchel’s 17 games in charge and Spanish outlet AS now claim Chelsea are willing to let him leave if it means they can land their top centre-back target – £69m-rated Kounde.
Liverpool, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have also been linked with the 22-year-old Frenchman, who is one of the hottest properties in European football.
And the Chelsea bosses reportedly have a list of five players they are willing to offer in exchange for Kounde.
Ziyech is joined on the transfer list by Kepa Arrizabalaga, Tammy Abraham, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Michy Batshuayi.
Kepa is now second choice to Edouard Mendy, who joined the club towards the end of the summer transfer window and has proved to be a far more reassuring presence in goal for the Blues.
And the club continue to be linked with AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, meaning £72million Kepa would very much be surplus to requirements next season.
Abraham has been linked with Aston Villa and West Ham having found game time very hard to come by under Tuchel, while Batshuayi and Bakayoko, on loan at Crystal Palace and Napoli respectively, are unlikely to return to Stamford Bridge in any permanent capacity.
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