Chelsea ‘still want’ to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer despite protracted negotiations, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Kounde has been at the centre of one of the most drawn-out transfer sagas over the last 12 months and still appears some way off from finalising a move to Stamford Bridge.

What is the latest news involving Kounde?

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano previously claimed that Kounde is still the ‘priority’ for Chelsea in the current window and that ‘talks are well advanced’ with the player.

However, it seems as though little progress has been made since then, and the France international’s potential switch to west London was temporarily thrown into doubt.

Catalunya Radio recently stated that Barcelona were progressing well in their efforts to snap up Kounde from underneath Chelsea’s nose.

It's claimed that Barca have 'agreed a deal in principle' with their La Liga rivals, which would see them pay £51 million and send a player in the opposite direction.

The Blaugrana are trying to include American international Sergino Dest in the move, although the latest update on this increasingly complicated deal suggests that prospect wasn’t an appealing one to Sevilla.

Spanish outlet Marca has now suggested that Chelsea have a free run at Kounde as cash-strapped Barcelona can’t afford his £65m price tag.

What has Jones said about Kounde?

Jones has informed GiveMeSport that ‘good contacts’ at Chelsea remain ‘confident’ of signing Kounde and that he still has to be considered their ‘top target’.

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He told GiveMeSport: “Ultimately, they still want Kounde. As far as I'm concerned, you have to consider him Chelsea's top target.

“Good contacts I've got at Chelsea still seemed confident last week that it was still on and that they would make it happen. So, I'll trust that.”

Do Chelsea need Kounde?

Chelsea only conceded 33 goals in their 38 Premier League fixtures last season, resulting in the third-best defensive record in the division.

However, star centre-back Antonio Rudiger has joined Real Madrid on a four-year deal, while Andreas Christensen is also set to depart on a free transfer, with Barcelona all but confirmed as his next destination.

Replacing the talented duo and bolstering Chelsea’s backline will, therefore, surely be Thomas Tuchel’s main concern this summer, and Kounde has been identified as the player to do just that.