Barcelona president drops massive Jules Kounde update that leaves £55m Chelsea deal on the brink

Barcelona president Joan Laporta suggests Chelsea have won the race to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde ahead of his own team.

The Blues saw their £55million offer for the France star accepted by Sevilla earlier this week and Kounde is known to have agreed a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

However, reports on Thursday claimed the 23-year-old was still holding out for a move to Catalonia and that Barca are keen on striking a deal for the defender.

The Nou Camp outfit are, however, yet to submit an offer for the centre-back. Despite making a number of signings this summer, they are still crippled by financial problems.

And now Laporta appears to suggest that the race for Kounde is all but over.

In a conversation with a Barcelona supporter, which was captured by Relevo, he was asked if the club are signing Kounde, to which he firmly replied: “No, he is going to sign for Chelsea.”

Thomas Tuchel’s men lost out to Barca in the race to sign Leeds winger Raphinha. However, it looks like their bid to land Kounde will be more successful.

The Frenchman actually surprised Sevilla after deciding to join their pre-season preparations in Portugal.

He had initially been left of their squad for the trip to seemingly resolve his future but performed a U-turn.

Kounde deal finally set to happen

However, it looks like a move to west London is closer than ever to actually happening.

Centre-back has been a position in major need of strengthening for Tuchel this summer after Chelsea lost both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen. Skipper Cesar Azpilucueta’s future at the club also remains in doubt.

The Blues have, however, already landed one top defender in the shape of Kalidou Koulibaly.

The former Napoli star arrived in a £34m deal last weekend, but Tuchel still wants to add two more defenders.

One of those, namely Kounde, is very close to happening but Chelsea maintain an interest in PSG’s Presnel Kimpembe.

Talks are currently ongoing with the French giants, while RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol is also on their shortlist.

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