Chelsea gamers urging board to signal Richarlison forward of Arsenal and Tottenham

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has recommended that Chelsea have received the race to signal Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.

Chelsea saw their £55 million bid for Kounde accepted by Sevilla this week and the France worldwide has agreed a five-year contract.

Nevertheless, Barcelona have additionally expressed an curiosity in signing Kounde and stories on Thursday night claimed that the defender has decided to hold out for the Spanish club to negotiate with Sevilla.

Barcelona are but to submit a suggestion to Sevilla as their switch plans have been hindered this summer time on account of their monetary state of affairs.

Nevertheless, Laporta now seems to have accepted defeat in Barcelona’s makes an attempt to match Chelsea’s proposal.

In a dialog with a Barcelona supporter which was captured by Relevo, Laporta was requested if the membership are signing Kounde, to which he replied: ‘No, he goes to signal for Chelsea.’

Chelsea have already misplaced out to Barcelona as soon as this summer time after Raphinha stalled on a swap to Stamford Bridge and ended up making the transfer to Camp Nou.

A £55m payment had been agreed between Chelsea and Leeds United however Raphinha’s choice was at all times to hitch Barcelona and the Brazil worldwide waited a number of weeks earlier than the deal could possibly be accomplished.

Chelsea may have considerations that Kounde is utilizing an analogous tactic after he determined to hitch Sevilla’s squad for his or her pre-season preparations in Portugal on Thursday.

It was initially reported that Kounde would miss the journey to Portugal with a view to finalise his transfer away from Sevilla.

Having signed Kalidou Koulibaly in a €40m (£34m) deal from Napoli final weekend, Thomas Tuchel is eager for Chelsea to recruit two extra central defenders.

Chelsea stay in talks with Paris Saint-Germain over a deal for Presnel Kimpembe, whereas RB Leipzig’s 20-year-old centre-back Josko Gvardiol can be on their shortlist.

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