Chelsea and Aston Villa are looking to poach Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos from Sevilla

Chelsea and Aston Villa are looking to poach defenders Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos from Sevilla as the Spanish club face a financial squeeze

  • Sevilla are resigned to losing key members of their squad to balance the books
  • They came fourth in La Liga last year and went unbeaten for almost four months
  • Aston Villa and Chelsea are hoping to pick up Sevilla players on the cheap
  • Villa are hoping to sign long-term target defender Diego Carlos for around £30m

Chelsea and Aston Villa are hoping to take advantage of a financial squeeze at Sevilla.

The Spanish side finished fourth in LaLiga and went unbeaten for almost four months but may now struggle to keep their side together. 

Chelsea are eager to sign French centre-back Jules Kounde while Villa have rekindled interest in their Brazilian defender Diego Carlos.

Diego Carlos may sign for Aston Villa for a very reasonable price given Sevilla’s difficulties

The Spanish side are resigned to selling key players this summer to balance the books and that could mean Chelsea landing £70million-rated Kounde for closer to £50m while Villa could prise away £40m-rated Carlos for around £30m.

Negotiations won’t be straight forward as Sevilla fight to claw back as much cash as possible but both players are open to Premier League moves.

France international Kounde has been on Chelsea’s wish-list for over a year after previously being courted by Manchester City and United.

Chelsea hope to sign Sevilla's Jules Kounde for around £50m as part of a defensive overhaul

Chelsea hope to sign Sevilla’s Jules Kounde for around £50m as part of a defensive overhaul

Carlos, 29, was the subject of offers from Newcastle in January while Tottenham also expressed an interest.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel wants four new defenders this summer as part of his squad overhaul while Villa want a centre-back and cover at left-back. 

Villa have also discussed Everton and Fulham target James Tarkowski plus Lille’s Sven Botman who is wanted by Newcastle and AC Milan, among others.

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