Chelsea finally beaten in Jules Kounde transfer race by Barcelona in £46m-plus deal – with ‘Azpilicueta move blocked’

BARCELONA have had a bid accepted for Chelsea transfer target Jules Kounde, according to reports.

The defender, 23, looked set to move to Stamford Bridge after the Blues agreed a £55million fee with Sevilla.

But Barca hijacked the move at the last minute and agreed personal terms with Kounde over the weekend.

The two clubs have since been negotiating and have reached an agreement over a £46m fee plus add-ons, report the .

The Frenchman still needs to undergo a medical but his switch to the Nou Camp should be finalised soon.

It is a blow for Chelsea after also seeing Raphinha snatched from under their noses by Barcelona.

Thomas Tuchel will have to turn to other transfer targets with Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries believed to be on his shortlist.

The deal could also have repercussions for Barcelona in their pursuit of Chelsea pair Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

Chelsea chiefs are said to be fuming with Barca and have ended negotiations with the Catalan club over the pair.

Tuchel is also reluctant to let Azpilicueta leave and when asked if he was annoyed by Barca’s insistence on signing the defender, the German boss replied: “Maybe a little bit.

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“It is a tough question because I am not sure if I want to give Azpi what he wants.

“At some point, it is about what we want. I just made the comparison about how much we fought for Koulibaly, who is a national team player and roughly the same age.”

Another player Tuchel likes is Leicester star Wesley Fofana, who recently signed a bumper new contract with the Foxes until 2027.

Because of that Leicester will not let the centre-back leave for less than £70m and that could deter Chelsea from making bid.