Chelsea 'closing in on Jules Kounde transfer despite Barcelona making £51m bid for Sevilla star and holding Xavi talks' | The Sun

CHELSEA are reportedly closing in on Jules Kounde but face competition from Barcelona who have made the Sevilla defender their "No1 target".

Reports in Spain claim the Blues are hoping an official agreement will be struck as soon as next week.

Barca boss Xavi has apparently spoken to the player but he looks set for a move to Stamford Bridge.

A deal for Kounde, 23, would be a major boost in Thomas Tuchel's bid to rebuild his defence after the exits of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.

Kalidou Koulibaly this week sealed a £34million transfer from Napoli and Kounde would give France star Tuchel more options at the back.

But Barcelona are not going to give up without a fight.

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The Catalan giants are looking to build on an encouraging week in the transfer market after they closed in on some major signings.

Marca report he is now the "big goal" for the La Liga club, who are readying a £51m bid.

While Barca did manage to sign Christensen earlier in the window they are believed to be keen on another centre-back.

Kounde is yet to join up with Sevilla's first team who are touring in South Korea due to a pelvic operation he had last month.

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After slow starts to the window, both the London club and Barcelona have picked up the pace.

Days before signing Koulibaly, Chelsea announced that Raheem Sterling had become their first signing of the summer.

While the deal for Robert Lewandowski looks to be all but done as Barcelona draft in one of football's deadliest strikers.

And their attack also received a major boost as they managed to wrestle Raphinha from Leeds for £57m.

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