Chelsea’s proposed move for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is ‘still being negotiated’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The 23-year-old has been on the shortlist at Stamford Bridge for around 12 months now but seems as far away as ever from actually making the switch.

What is the latest news involving Kounde?

Back in June, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano stated that Kounde remained the ‘priority’ for Chelsea and that ‘talks are well advanced’ following the failed negotiations of last summer.

Spanish outlet Sport then reported that the Blues had agreed personal terms with the centre-back, who has agreed to put pen to paper on a five-year deal.

However, Chelsea are yet to reach an agreement with Sevilla. It’s believed the La Liga side are demanding around £65 million for their prized asset, less than his £68.5m release clause.

Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in Kounde, yet Sevilla news outlet Orgullo De Nervion have claimed that a deal could now be back on with Chelsea.

The departure of former chief Marina Granovskaia understandably disrupted talks but it’s claimed that the capital club have ‘opened negotiations’ and want to get the transfer completed ‘as soon as possible.’

What has Jones said about Kounde?

Jones has also reiterated to GiveMeSport that the proposed transfer is ‘definitely not dead’, although admits he believed it would have advanced quicker than it has.

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He told GMS: “It's still being negotiated, Kounde, it's definitely not dead. So, let's not rule this out from happening. It's obviously become more dragged on than I even expected.

“I knew it wouldn't be done immediately, but I did think it will be done pretty early into the Boehly reign, and this probably isn't that early anymore.”

Who else could Chelsea sign?

A recent report from Sky Sports disclosed that Chelsea are willing to pay €45m (£38m) plus Timo Werner to sign Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt.

The Netherlands international has a €120m (£103m) release clause written into his contract, and Romano informed GMS that the Old Lady have a ‘completely different’ value of Werner to Chelsea.

It’s also believed that Thomas Tuchel’s charges are eager to re-sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City, with The Telegraph reporting that talks have already been opened.

Who Chelsea sign to bolster their centre-back options remains to be seen, but it’s certainly an area of the pitch where Tuchel is in need of reinforcements.