Chelsea close in on £55m Jules Kounde, with confidence that a deal will FINALLY be completed

Chelsea’s new owners are set to complete a hat-trick of new signings with Jules Kounde close to becoming the club’s third summer arrival

A fee of around £55m has been agreed with Seville for the defender, 23, who has been offered a five-year contract, following deals for £47.5m Raheem Sterling and £34m Kalidou Koulibaly

Chelsea appear to have beaten competition from Barcelona for the France international, who was widely courted, and it had been thought that the move would open the door for captain Cesar Azpilicueta to join the Spanish club, a switch he is keen on following more than a decade at Stamford Bridge.

The Frenchman made 32 appearances in LaLiga last season as Sevilla finished fourth

However, manager Thomas Tuchel revealed he may not sanction the departure – and took a dig at the La Liga giants, suggesting they are undervaluing the 32-year-old.

‘I am not sure I want to give Azpi what he wants,’ the German said. ‘At some point it is also about us and just made the comparison of how much we fought for (Koulidou) Koulibaly. He is a national player, he is the similar age as Azpi, a hugely important player, captain for Napoli. But we have a Spanish international player, captain for Chelsea and I see it on the same level but Barcelona does not see it on that level so I’m not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants.’

Tuchel, speaking from a press conference at a sweltering Universal Studios to preview Saturday’s clash with Arsenal, added that his focus had to be on what was best for Chelsea.

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta is keen on sealing a move to Barcelona this summer

‘I don’t think so much about other clubs as I think about us,’ he said. ‘The full focus is on us and what we need and what we have in Apzi. I said to him many times that I can understand him on a personal level and career level. I can understand his point of view. But I am not only in this role to give him what he wants but I am also manager for Chelsea and have to do what is best for Chelsea.’

When asked if the player understood his manager’s position, Tuchel responded: ‘He understands but he does not like it.’

Should Kounde – as expected – complete his move, Tuchel will seek a number of further additions as he seeks to close last season’s 20-point gap to Manchester City.

The deal would take the US owners close to a £150m outlay, with more spending likely to follow.