Reports: Chelsea in direct contact with highly rated defender as transfer deadline edge closer

Chelsea are still in the transfer market for a centre-back and their top target remains Jules Kounde from Spanish side, Sevilla.

The blues have already broken their transfer record this season to bring in Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan but Tuchel is willing to strengthen his backline.

With the transfer window set to close in the next few days, Chelsea are now reportedly in direct contact with Kounde over a potential move to Stamford Bridge.

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are keen to sign Kounde, 22, as soon as possible with Sevilla unlikely to sell the Frenchman in the final days of the window.

The player has a £68million release clause which Chelsea have been reluctant to meet, instead having had a player-plus-cash deal that included Kurt Zouma rejected.

Despite this setback, Chelsea are now preparing a new deal for Kounde as they below the their direct contact with the player with help resolve things.

Kounde was part of the France national team at Euro 2020 and despite that he was not in tbe first team, his performance for Sevilla in the past few months has not gone unnoticed.

Chelsea are still prepared to sell Kurt Zouma in a bid to raise fund for Kounde who is reportedly willing to move to Stamford Bridge.