Sevilla centre-half Jules Kounde is believed to want his future sorted out immediately as both Chelsea and Barcelona are reportedly in 'permanent talks' with his agent Jonathan Kebe ahead of official offers being submitted next week.
The France international looked destined for a West London move but with all focus currently on moving out Romelu Lukaku and bringing in attacking replacements like Raheem Sterling, the central defensive positions seem to have fallen down the agenda a little for Todd Boehly. This has therefore allowed Barca and Xavi to swoop in and really enter the race for the La Liga defender despite their financial woes still existing amid the economic levers being voted in.
Some reports in the Spanish media including from the likes of Mundo Deportivo and SPORT have indicated that the 23-year-old is starting to warm to the idea of staying within La Liga due to his frustrations shown at the lack of movement recently with his proposed move to England. However, this report has been rebuffed by ABC Sevilla. According to them, both Chelsea and Barcelona have been in 'permanent contact' in the last 24 hours with Kounde's agent Kebe.
READ MORE: Jules Kounde, Ousmane Dembele - Why Chelsea are yet to sign anyone in the summer transfer window
Whilst no preferences have been decided on the player's behalf between the two clubs, it is understood that manager Thomas Tuchel doesn't want this 'signing to escape him' as Sevilla's No.23 has been a long-term target of his. Consequently, the Blues, who have been focussed solely in the last few days on attacking incomings and outgoings despite the clear hole in defence left by the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, are willing to 'accelerate' talks for their long-term target.
But it seems that the valuation will still stand high at around £55million despite the hope that outgoing Blues director Marina Granovskaia could agree upon a cut-price fee in the region of £42million, as she did last summer before the goalposts were moved at the last minute by the Spanish club.
This time around will be a different story with Julen Lopetegui now completely resigned to losing both Diego Carlos and Kounde in the same transfer window. The 5ft 8ins defender views his next move and contract as the one 'of his life'. Whether that will be in England or Spain remains to be seen.
Chelsea fans- How long do you think this Jules Kounde transfer saga will rumble on for and are you happy with how long it has took so far for real progression to be seen on this deal? Leave your thoughts down below in the comments section!
