Chelsea are in talks to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, reports Gianluca Di Marzio.
Thomas Tuchel wants to sign a new centre-back this summer and Kounde has been earmarked as a top transfer target.
The France international is considered one of the best young defenders in Europe and has given the greenlight to joining Chelsea.
Kounde was said to be holding out for Real Madrid but the Spanish side are putting all of their resources to funding a blockbuster move to Kylian Mbappe.
The 22-year-old is only open to leaving Sevilla for another club in the Champions League and it is why Tottenham's pursuit proved short-lived.
Tottenham reportedly had an offer of €30m plus Davinson Sanchez accepted by Sevilla only for the player to pour cold water on the proposed switch.
United are reportedly still interested in Kounde despite the impending arrival of Raphael Varane for Real Madrid but any move is highly unlikely at this stage.
🥇 Jules Kounde was the highest WhoScored rated centre-back in La Liga last season (7.01) pic.twitter.com/ROkbvFbaLk
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 27, 2021
Kounde has a release clause of around €80m in his current contract but Sevilla are willing to cash in for far less than that.
Chelsea's pursuit of Kounde spells bad news for Kurt Zouma, who will likely be shown the door as a result.
Kounde was the only centre-back in La Liga last season to finish the campaign with a WhoScored rating in excess of 7.00.
