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

Chelsea are nearing the completion of a deal to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde with Barcelona set to give up on their attempts to sign him due to a lack of funds.

The two clubs have been battling it out over the 23-year-old's signature this summer, having both tabled significant offers for the Frenchman in the last week.

It's understood that Chelsea have a £55m deal in place for the France international, who travelled to Lagos in Portugal for their training camp after agreeing a five-year contract.

The LaLiga giants made a last ditch attempt to persuade Kounde to join them after they raised more funds with another rights sale on Thursday - but they were unable to match the Blues.