Chelsea are confident of signing Sevilla defender Jules Kounde after making an improved offer of €65m on Wednesday.
Sevilla want to accept Chelsea’s bid ahead of Barcelona’s as the English side offer cash, while Barca were proposing players in exchange, such as Memphis Depay.
Kounde waved goodbye to fans as he left the club’s training ground on Wednesday and hopes a deal can be reached on Thursday.
Chelsea’s offer was as much as the Spaniards had asked for the defender.
The 23-year-old is back on Chelsea’s agenda alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe after Manchester City blocked a move for Nathan Ake, says Just Football.
The Blues have had a long-standing interest in Kounde as they were keen to sign him last summer but were unable to agree a deal.
Thomas Tuchel is still trying to strengthen his defense after bringing in Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.
The defense is being strengthened after Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left the club earlier this summer.
Chelsea have submitted a new bid for Jules Koundé today: £55m fee, very good payment terms. Talks now ongoing with Sevilla on structure of the bid. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Koundé, still in direct talks with both Chelsea and Barcelona on personal terms – while clubs are discussing on details. pic.twitter.com/PwsYtDeTlv
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2022