Chelsea best placed to sign French defender

Chelsea are best placed to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Blues were eager to land the Frenchman during the last summer transfer window, but failed to negotiate a suitable deal.

They offered around €50m plus Kurt Zouma as a makeweight, but Sevilla wanted them to trigger the €80m release clause.

It is now reported that the La Liga outfit could sell him for less, given they need to balance their books before June 30.

A fee of around €65m could be sufficient to do business, and reports claim that the Blues are in pole position to sign him.

Barcelona are also interested in the former Bordeaux man, but they are not in a position to negotiate a straight-cash move.

Chelsea are presently banned from negotiating transfer and contract deals amid sanctions on previous owner Roman Abramovich.

However, their situation should change by the end of the ongoing month with a consortium led by Todd Boehly set to takeover.

One of their first priorities will be to seal the transfer of Kounde, who already has a verbal agreement in place over personal terms.