Following a day of talks with Sevilla, Chelsea are getting closer to signing Jules Kounde.
They hope to beat Barcelona, who are still strong contenders for the France international.
The Blues have long agreed on personal terms, but are still negotiating a fee of around £51 million for the 23-year-old.
Chelsea had been interested in signing Kounde since last summer, but he was passed over in favor of Manchester City's Nathan Ake and Bayern Munich's Matthijs De Ligt.
Sevilla prefers to sell Kounde to Chelsea and wants him to make a decision soon. However, the player is believed to be open to a move to either Barcelona or Chelsea depending on their ability to negotiate in the coming days.
The west Londoners are also in talks with Paris Saint-Presnel Germain's Kimpembe for a £50 million move, but there are growing fears that he will reject Chelsea.
The 26-year-old has discussed a potential move with former teammates N'Golo Kante and Thiago Silva and has high regard for manager Thomas Tuchel, who is actively involved in the negotiations.
Despite the fact that PSG is willing to let him go, the defender is very settled in the French capital at his boyhood club. That is the primary impediment to a possible move across the English Channel to play for the world champions.
Chelsea are also looking for a winger, but their decision is dependent on the futures of Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, both of whom have signed lucrative contracts with Barcelona.
The Catalan authorities and interim sporting director Todd Boehly are still negotiating a possible fee.
The Blues are also still in talks with the Chicago Fire's 18-year-old goalkeeper sensation Gabriel Slonina.
These discussions have become drawn out because the priorities remain defensive options, which Tuchel is eager to sort out.
Slonina would return to the MLS club on loan after signing a contract with his new club, according to current plans.
Any further business would be contingent on selling major stars, with Napoli interested in signing Kepa Arrizabalaga, who would have to be replaced before moving to Italy.
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