Spanish giants Real Madrid are set to enter the race to sign Chelsea target Jules Kounde, according to a report.
The Blues have been long-term admirers of the Sevilla centre-back and have already had a bid rejected for the Frenchman by the La Liga club, who have stated they will not let him go for anything lower than his £68m release clause.
According to Spanish outlet Onda Cero, Real Madrid would be prepared to activate the 22-year-old's release clause this summer, hijacking any potential deal between Sevilla and Chelsea.
Kounde is said to be keen to secure a transfer to Stamford Bridge before Tuesday's 11pm deadline, though he would also be interested in a move to the Spanish capital if a deal can be agreed.
Los Blancos are in the market for a new central defender following the departures of Sergio Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain and Raphael Varane to Manchester United.
Kounde has played 91 times across all competitions for Sevilla since joining the club from Bordeaux in 2019, including 49 appearances last season.
Oliver Thomas
