Jules Kounde ready to finalise Chelsea transfer

Jules Kounde’s representatives have informed Chelsea that the French defender is ready to finalise his move to Stamford Bridge, 90min understands.

The Blues met Sevilla’s £55m asking price for Kounde earlier this week but Barcelona remained in contact with the 23-year-old in the hope of convincing him to move to Camp Nou instead – despite never lodging a formal bid to Sevilla.

Meanwhile, Kounde was left out of Sevilla’s pre-season squad – he is recovering from injury and is yet to resume team training – only to request to travel to Portugal with the rest of the first team anyway.

The defender’s actions had left Chelsea fans sweating but sources have now confirmed to 90min that Kounde has formally communicated his desire to finalise his move to England.

Personal terms have long been agreed after Chelsea came close to signing Kounde last summer, and with Sevilla giving the green light as well, the Blues are now finalising the necessary paperwork to get this long-awaited signing over the line.