Chelsea 'expected to make offer for £68m rated Jules Kounde in next few hours'

Chelsea are expected to make an offer for Jules Kounde in 'the next few hours' after reviving talks with the Sevilla defender.

The Blues made the 22-year-old their No 1 defensive target this summer but delayed their pursuit of his signature to focus on securing Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan first.

Having successfully signed Lukaku on a five year deal worth £97.5m, Chelsea are now set to make a move for Kounde - who featured in the France squad at Euro 2020 this summer.

According to Sport Witness, Kounde's agent Jonathan Kebe, has told Sevilla that Chelsea will be presenting an offer to the club later today.

However, Kounde will only accept a move to the Premier League side if he is guaranteed regular action and Champions League football.

Should this be agreed upon, Chelsea only have eight days to close a deal with the 22-year-old.

Sportsmail recently revealed that Tuchel is looking to streamline his squad to make way for the £68m rated France international.

Full back Davide Zappacosta is joining Atalanta on an initial loan with view to permanent £8million deal while striker Ike Ugbo is joining Genk for £5m.

West Ham and Tottenham remain interested in a deal for Chelsea’s Kurt Zouma while Chelsea defender Malang Sarr, 22, is discussing a loan to Bologna.

Chelsea are also close to agreeing another loan to AC Milan for Tiemoue Bakayoko as the European champions monitor developments with Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez.