Chelsea 'step up Jules Kounde pursuit after agreeing Kurt Zouma sale'

Chelsea are reportedly now making progress in their pursuit of Sevilla's Jules Kounde, having agreed to sell Kurt Zouma to West Ham United in a £25m deal.

Kounde has made 90 appearances for Sevilla over the last two years, while he was in action for France at Euro 2020 and has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio claimed on Wednesday that the Blues were closing in on a €50m (£42.8m) deal for the centre-back.

According to Sky Sports News, Thomas Tuchel's side are making progress in talks with Sevilla, and the European Cup holders are confident of completing a deal before the deadline.

The report, meanwhile, claims that Zouma underwent a medical with West Ham on Thursday, as the centre-back prepares to make the move to the London Stadium.

Kounde has played the full 90 minutes in both of Sevilla's league matches this season.