Chelsea have their eye on three alternatives if they do miss out on Sevilla’s Jules Kounde to Barcelona, according to the Evening Standard‘s Nizaar Kinsella.

The journalist claims that Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe and RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol are the three defenders being lined up as targets but they are seen as “imperfect options”:

Chelsea could turn to Skriniar as Barcelona hijack Kounde bid

✍️ @NizaarKinsella https://t.co/WS9Uwej79c

— Standard Sport (@standardsport) July 25, 2022

In Skriniar’s case, there are two major issues. Paris Saint-Germain are very keen on recruiting the Slovakian, while Inter are not willing to compromise on their €60m (£51m) asking price.

With Kimpembe, it has been widely reported that he is reluctant to leave PSG, and there have now been reports that he could cost as much as £55m to £60m.

There are fewer complications regarding Chelsea’s interest in Gvardiol, but many believe that Leipzig will play hardball on the transfer fee as they are not looking to sell the Croatian international this summer.