Sevilla star Jules Koundé’s future is still to be sorted out as he continues to draw interest from Chelsea and Barcelona.
According to ABC Sevilla, the Blues and the Catalan club are in ‘permanent contact’ with the defender’s camp. In fact, the two sides made fresh contact with his agent, Jonathan Kebe, on Monday.
Kebe is now focused on working on the France international’s future, after taking Aurélien Tchouaméni, another client, to Real Madrid.
Barca have made the centre-back realise he is a priority target for Xavi Hernández and can be part of their defence. Their president, Joan Laporta, has informed the manager he will do everything to sign the ex-Bordeaux man.
The Blaugrana have found out from Kebe that Julen Lopetegui’s side are demanding €65m for their asset.
The English club are willing to accelerate negotiations for Koundé, as they are encouraged by Thomas Tuchel, who ‘does not want the signing to escape him’.
Meanwhile, Sport explain that Sevilla have no doubt the Premier League side are the only club capable of paying €60-65m for the Frenchman.
It is clear Chelsea will need to bolster their defence after losing both Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen as free agents. However, the report adds the change of ownership at Stamford Bridge makes everything complicated.
Sport say Chelsea, so far, ‘do not appear’ on the scene and the Spanish club have opened the door for their La Liga counterpart to sign the player. He wants to leave his current employer in the ongoing window and ‘sign the contract of his life’. 
Lopetegui’s man is comfortable in Spain, but doesn’t hide the fact that if Chelsea make an offer, then it will be hard for him to join Barca, unless they match the west London club’s proposal.
Koundé is a priority target for Xavi, but Barcelona are keeping other options open, if Chelsea end up throwing them out of the bidding war by tabling a better financial offer.
