Report: Chelsea nearing deal for Sevilla's Kounde, Barca consider bid

The race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is heating up.

Chelsea are understood to be the front-runner to sign the French international, according to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian.

The Premier League club is preparing a second offer after Sevilla turned down its bid worth €55 million plus add-ons for the center-back, reports The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.

But a late approach from Barcelona for Kounde could throw Chelsea's plans into disarray, Steinberg adds.

Both club have been aggressive this summer, with Barcelona beating the Blues to sign Brazilian winger Raphinha earlier this month.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are in the midst of overhauling their back line after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen on free transfers. The west London side already added one of its defensive targets, signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli in a deal reportedly worth €40 million.

If Chelsea can bolster their defense further with Kounde's arrival, it could open the door for them to sell Cesar Azpilicueta, who's been linked with a move to Barcelona, according to Steinberg.

Kounde, who joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019, made 32 league appearances for the La Liga outfit last season.