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.
