Deal Close: Chelsea reportedly closing in on a deal for 22-year-old highly rated defender

Current Champions League holder, Chelsea are closing in on a deal for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea have continued to be linked with the Frenchman as they look to bolster their options at the back ahead of the new campaign.

However, negotiation between Chelsea and Sevilla have taken days with the Spanish side eager to receive cash while the London club are offering player plus cash.

Reports in the past few days have claimed that Kounde and Chelsea have agreed the defender personal terms and it’s left for his transfer fee to be sorted out with Sevilla.

Popular Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has now insisted that it’s a matter of time before a deal is completed.

Speaking on the Don Robbie YouTube channel, Romano stated that Chelsea are in talks for Kounde and they are working on it.

He noted that the blues were including Zouma as part of the negotiation but they have no agreement on the value of Zouma.

Sevilla want €45m plus Zouma in the deal. Chelsea were offering €30m to €35m with Zouma.

The value of Zouma is the problem at the moment and the next one could be Kounde.

Chelsea want to sign him with or without Zouma, he has an agreement of personal terms with Chelsea on a five-year contract and he’s ready to join Chelsea.

Kounde was a regular starter in Sevilla last season, he played 34 La Liga games for the Spanish side, scoring two goals and one assist.