EPL: Chelsea submit improved offer for Kounde after agreeing personal terms

Chelsea are confident of signing Sevilla defender Jules Kounde after making an improved £55million offer on Wednesday.

Sevilla want to accept Chelsea’s bid over that of Barcelona as it offers straight cash while Barca were proposing players such as Memphis Depay.

Kounde said farewell to fans as he left the club’s training ground on Wednesday and hopes a deal is agreed on Thursday with personal terms already in place.

The 23-year-old is back on Chelsea’s agenda along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe after Manchester City blocked a move for Nathan Ake.

The Blues have held a long-term interest in Kounde as they were keen on signing him last summer, but were unable to get a deal across the line.

Chelsea have already signed defender Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli recently

Thomas Tuchel is still trying to strengthen his defence after bringing in Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli.

This comes having lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen earlier this summer, and he has turned his attention to Kounde once more.

Chelsea’s initial proposal of £46m including add-ons for Kounde was rebuffed early this week.

Kounde can also cover at full-back and his arrival would be timely as Barcelona step up talks to sign Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Barcelona remain interested in signing Chelsea club captain Cesar Azpilicueta

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Chelsea have maintained they want a £7m fee and another full-back before allowing the 32-year-old to leave.

Tuchel currently has Reece James to call upon at right-back, but his cover options would be limited if Azpilicueta departs.

Azpilicueta has been at Stamford Bridge for the past decade and is the current club captain, so it is little surprise that Chelsea want to be well-compensated prior to moving him on.