Chelsea's Jules Kounde pursuit 'hanging in the balance'

Chelsea's hopes of signing Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer are reportedly 'hanging in the balance'.

The Blues are believed to have stepped up their pursuit of the 22-year-old after agreeing the £25m sale of Kurt Zouma to West Ham United.

Thomas Tuchel's side were close to agreeing a deal worth around £43m for Kounde, however, according to Sky Sports News, Sevilla are now holding out for the player's £68.5m release clause.

Any deal for Kounde to join Chelsea will likely depend on whether Zouma completes his move to the London Stadium before the 11pm deadline on August 31.

Zouma has already agreed personal terms with the Hammers and has also undergone his medical, with just the final pieces of paperwork to be completed before the deal can be finalised.

The report states, however, that Chelsea are reluctant to let Zouma leave if they are to miss out on Kounde this summer.

Kounde, who still has three years left to run on his contract, has played the full 90 minutes in both of Sevilla's opening two La Liga matches this season.