Chelsea 'speaking' to £55m star who's 'open’ to Stamford Bridge move

Chelsea target Jules Kounde is ‘pretty open’ over where he moves this summer amid interest from Barcelona, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The 23-year-old is expected to depart Sevilla ahead of next season following another impressive season, but it’s currently unclear where he will be plying his trade.

Kounde was close to making the switch to Chelsea 12 months ago until a potential deal collapsed after they refused to pay his £68.4 million release clause.

Now though, The Guardian have revealed that the Blues have revived their interest in the France international after failing to prise Nathan Ake away from Manchester City.

However, a deal for Kounde is unlikely to be straightforward once again due to the interest of Catalan giants Barcelona.

Reliable CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has stated that Sevilla are hoping to receive a €65m (£55.3m) fee for the centre-back by inciting a bidding war between Chelsea and Barca.

With just two years remaining on his current contract at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium, Sevilla’s hierarchy will know this summer represents one of the last chances to receive a hefty fee for Kounde, though, meaning his departure is likely.

Romano has informed GiveMeSport that Kounde is keeping his options open at this moment in time and is ‘speaking to both clubs’, with Barca manager Xavi ‘insisting’ for his signature.

In an interview, he told GMS: “Xavi is insisting for Kounde, and the player is speaking to both clubs, Chelsea and Barcelona.

“So, at the moment, he is pretty open. He is not decided on one single club, it depends on the proposals to Sevilla, but Barcelona are absolutely in the race.”

Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen’s departures for Real Madrid and Barca, respectively, have