Sevilla defender Jules Kounde has ‘rejected’ Chelsea’s contract offer to sign a four-year contract with Barcelona, according to reports.
Chelsea and Barcelona are currently battling for the services of the Frenchman in one of the most notable transfer sagas of the summer window.
When Uwe Seeler played one match in the League of Ireland by accident
After the Blues lodged a bid on Thursday, it was reported the following morning that Barca had withdrawn from the race.
However, reports that the La Liga club have re-established themselves as favourites have rapidly accelerated over the weekend.
Multiple reports on Sunday have been positive reading for Barca fans as they appear to be closing in on the signing of Kounde ahead of their English counterparts.
A Sport report claims that the 23-year-old has agreed a four-year deal with the Catalan club, who ‘will need to convince’ Sevilla to accept an offer.
🚨🚨✅| BREAKING: FC Barcelona & Sevilla have reached an agreement for Jules Koundé for €50M fixed + €10M variables.@sanantheone [🎖️]
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) July 24, 2022
However, a journalist for the same outlet, Ivan San Antonio, reports that the two La Liga clubs have ‘reached an agreement’ of €50m plus €10m in variables.
Furthermore, Kounde has ‘rejected’ Chelsea’s offer after accepting terms with Barca.
Gerard Romero has also claimed that the France international’s move to the Nou Camp could become official ‘at any moment’.
While Chelsea have been very keen on signing Kounde for over a year, they have alternatives lined up.
They have registered an interest in RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe.
According to Guardian correspondent Jacob Steinberg, ‘there is nothing in writing’ between Chelsea and Sevilla.
One point is that this wasn’t a priority for Tuchel at start of summer. Went for other defenders first, so if there’s any change in structure of fee/disagreement over add-ons it wouldn’t be a surprise if Chelsea walk away. But pressure to sort the defence out is huge #cfc
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) July 24, 2022
Steinberg reiterates that Kounde wasn’t a top priority for Thomas Tuchel at the start of the window, so it would not be a surprise if the Blues back out of the deal.
Tuchel remains under ‘pressure’ to bolster his defence, however, following the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.