Barcelona president Joan Laporta has confirmed that Chelsea target – Jules Kounde is going to join the Premier League side.

The statement was captured on camera, although it’s unclear if Laporta was being serious when he told a fan Kounde was going to join the west London club.

Some Catalan media outlets feels that the Barca president was exaggerating and that La Blaugrana are still very much in the hunt.

Chelsea are hopeful that the Kounde transfer would move forward before weekend so that he may join them in time for their last preseason matchup against Udinese on Friday.

Footballrover learned that Chelsea and Sevilla had earlier this week reached an agreement on terms for the player.

Reports states that Chelsea and Sevilla have already reached an agreement on a transfer fee of €65 million for Jules Kounde, but the transaction is not yet official because the bonuses’ structure is still being worked out. They anticipate an hour-long resolution to everything.

Chelsea are in advanced negotiations with Sevilla and the expectation from sources close to the deal is Kounde to Chelsea will be fully finalised in the coming hours.

~ @JacobsBen

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) July 22, 2022

However, at the request of Barcelona head coach – Xavi, the Spanish giants made their own bid for Kounde despite having signed Robert Lewandowski from Bayern earlier in the week.

¿Laporta ya da por perdido a Koundé?

?Así se lo ha comentado a Esteban Flores, un aficionado que le ha preguntado en el hall del Hotel Palms, al que le ha dicho que se va al Chelsea.

?? @tjuanmarti

Dentro video ?? pic.twitter.com/VcIr8A9Se1

— Relevo (@relevo) July 21, 2022

Although Barca and Sevilla have not reached an agreement, the midfielder has been maintaining his options open instead of completing his switch to Stamford Bridge.

The defender also chose to travel with Sevilla on their preseason tour of Portugal rather than rest at home, as was permitted after a minor pelvic surgery last month.

I’m sure Chelsea supporters now think they have Jules Kounde in the bag. Barca is yet to openly bid and acknowledge that they cannot compete with Chelsea’s offer. Only minor details of the deal between Sevilla and Chelsea have been resolved.

Pass Accuracy own half.

Kounde: 92%
Silva: 95%
Koulibaly: 90%

Build-up play on ? pic.twitter.com/I8HtR1nYhy

— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) July 22, 2022

Meanwhile Thomas Tuchel has refused to say a word regarding Jules Kounde’s deal, but smiled when questioned about the defender’s decision to ignore Barça for Chelsea.

“This is what you say… but I will not comment on other players. No news at the moment. I will tell you if there will ever be news on Kounde” – he said.

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