According to sources in Spain, Jules Kounde has chosen to refuse a transfer to Chelsea and is instead waiting for Barcelona to complete a deal with Sevilla.
Earlier this week, Chelsea and Sevilla reached a £55 million agreement, and Kounde has said he would be open to signing a five-year term with Thomas Tuchel’s team.
However, Barcelona has been pressuring Kounde to hold off until they make their bid, and the France international has now temporarily shelved plans to join Chelsea.
Kounde has reportedly been persuaded to hold out for Barcelona by Xavi, who has assured the defender that he would play a significant role in his plans at Camp Nou, according to AS.
According to the rumor, Kounde is “flattered and pleased” by Xavi’s letter and has vowed to wait for the Barcelona head coach to reach an agreement with Sevilla.
Barcelona is now putting together a €55 million (£46.7 million) bid to Sevilla for Kounde in the hopes that a deal may be done.
Thursday, after informing a supporter that Kounde “is going to sign for Chelsea,” Barcelona president Joan Laporta appeared to admit defeat in the pursuit of the center-back.
When questioned the next day about Chelsea’s acquisition of Kounde, Tuchel steadfastly declined to comment.
There is no news, Tuchel declared.
“If there are any updates regarding Jules Kounde, I’ll let you know. I won’t start making remarks about other players.
After signing Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli last weekend, Tuchel stated that Chelsea will add a “minimum” of one more defender.