Chelsea 'still working on deal for Jules Kounde'

Chelsea are still actively pursuing a deal for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Blues seemingly cooled their interest in the Frenchman to secure Romelu Lukaku's signature, and the centre-forward has now returned to Stamford Bridge in a club-record deal.

Chelsea are said to be considering signing a new central midfielder before the end of the transfer window, and according to Romano, the London giants are still working on a move for Kounde.

A recent report claimed that Sevilla are expecting the European Cup holders to make another offer for the 22-year-old over the next week or so.

The La Liga outfit are believed to value their defender, who still has three years left to run on his contract at Estadio Ramon, in the region of €70m (£59.6m).

Manchester United were strongly linked with Kounde earlier this summer before agreeing a deal with Real Madrid to bring Raphael Varane to Old Trafford.