Jules Kounde Transfer Latest: Chelsea 'Very Close' To Signing Despite Release Clause Reluctance

Chelsea are looking to add Sevilla defender Jules Kounde to their squad this summer following the arrival of Kalidou Koulibaly, with the latest developments being reported.

Thomas Tuchel’s side completed a £34 million deal for Koulibaly, with the Senegal international arriving from Napoli to join the Blues this summer.

With both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen departing for Real Madrid and Barcelona, Chelsea were left without two of their main defenders going into the new season.

Therefore, the Blues are in the market for another defender and have identified Kounde, who was a long-term target for the club previously.

Jules Kounde of Sevilla FC during a La Liga match. (Alamy)

However, negotiations have failed with Sevilla in the past due to their high valuation of the 23-year-old, with it remaining to be seen as to whether a deal can be struck this summer.

The latest reports believe that the defender is close to moving to Stamford Bridge after years of interest from Tuchel’s side.

As reported by Spanish journalist Manu Sainz, Kounde is ‘very close’ to joining Chelsea.

He states that ‘except for a radical change, Chelsea hope an agreement will be closed next week’.

The journalist continues to report that Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez has spoken to Kounde to try and convince him to move to the Camp Nou, but that Chelsea are looking more like getting a deal done.

Furthermore, Ben Jacobs stated that Chelsea will hold more talks regarding Kounde next week.

However, the transfer ‘depends on Sevilla’. The La Liga club are hoping for a bidding war between Chelsea and Barcelona.

The Blues have not ‘walked away’ from a deal for Kounde at any point in the transfer window, but are said to be reluctant to pay close to his release clause of £69 million this summer.

Kounde’s representatives are frustrated that his future remains uncertain, wanting to solve his situation before the end of the month.

Jules Kounde has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Chelsea. (Alamy)

Chelsea boss Tuchel ‘really wants’ the defender this summer but the negotiations for Kounde are now more complicated due to further interest in him.

Clarity over the situation is expected this week as Chelsea look to add to their squad ahead of the new season.

The Blues are currently on pre-season tour in the United States, with Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr, Cesar Azpilicueta, Ethan Ampadu and Levi Colwill the available defensive options at the moment.

Koulibaly is with the squad but is yet to train after his move, potentially making his first appearance in the pre-season friendly against Charlotte FC on Thursday.