Barcelona are reportedly closing in on the signing of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

Last week, it was widely claimed that Chelsea were on the brink of completing a deal for the Frenchman. Furthermore, the Blues had agreed personal terms with the centre-back.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, positive contacts have been discussed between the relevant parties with the 23-year-old defender ready to accept personal terms with the Catalan giants.

The Blaugrana are allegedly working on “a final bid”, which will inevitably prevent Thomas Tuchel’s side from making any further progress.

Barcelona are expected to pay somewhere in the region of £55m for the centre-back, who has a contract at the Andalusian outfit until June 2024.

Any deal for the France international may also end Barca’s efforts to sign Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta with manager Thomas Tuchel reluctant to lose the club captain.