Sevilla manager Julen Lopetegui has spoken out over Jules Kounde's failed move to Chelsea, stating that the Spanish club felt the transfer offers made by the Blues were insufficient.
The 22-year-old appeared destined to make the switch to Stamford Bridge on deadline day, but an agreement between the two clubs never materialised.
Kounde was disappointed that Sevilla did not green light the transfer, but Lopetegui has explained the club made the right choice.
"Kounde in the end has stayed because the club has decided that it was the right thing to do based on the evaluation of the offers they may have had," Lopetegui told Diario de Sevilla.
"For me, as a coach, it's positive that Jules is staying. With the evolution he has had in these two years, it is positive, without any doubt.
"We trust that he’ll continue to grow with us and, above all, perform, which is the most important thing."
Lopetegui was speaking at the end of one of the summer's longest running transfer sagas, which left many Chelsea fans and Kounde himself extremely disappointed. The player is keen to make a step up in his career, and a move to the current champions of Europe seemed on the cards.
However, Sevilla stood firm in their negotiations with the Blues, insisting that the Premier League giants would have to trigger his release clause in order to enter talks with the player. The defender also refused to travel with the team to face Elche, determined to push through a move.
Ultimately, Chelsea's offer of around £50m was not enough to tempt Sevilla into selling, and the Spanish side ended negotiations. Kounde was furious upon learning the club had blocked his move to the Premier League, and subsequently ignored phone calls from manager Lopetegui and sporting director Monchi.
Source : 90min