Chelsea could push their move for Jules Kounde this week after receiving a boost in their attempts to offload Kurt Zouma.
Thomas Tuchel has insisted he is happy with his squad but the Blues remain interested in signing the Sevilla defender before the transfer window closes.
The France international, who has just under three years remaining on his current contract at the Ramos Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium,
Speaking in May, He said: “Regarding my future, it’s certain that I will perhaps have to change clubs this summer.
But nothing has been finalised yet. I have not decided anything.
“My goal is to play for a big club, to try to always progress and to win trophies.
“It’s true that I might have to move but that’s not relevant today.”
According to Romano Fabrizio, Chelsea have agreed personal terms with Jules Kounde since over two weeks already but failure to move Kurt Zouma out of the Stamford Bridge has been the cog in the wheel of the transfer after the initial player swap has been rejected.
Since January, Kurt Zouma has featured only 13 times under Tuchel and it is believed he will leave Chelsea after six years with the Blues.
A crucial detail in the deal to sign Kounde will depend on whether West Ham follow up on their interest in Zouma.
And according to Sportitalia’s Gianluca Longari, West Ham will make a final push to sign Zouma before the August 31 transfer deadline, with a £25m fee believed to be enough to seal the deal.
That could be the catalyst in prompting Chelsea to clinch a deal for their top target Kounde, with the player keen on a move to England.