Chelsea are more likely to sign Jules Kounde than Presnel Kimpembe, says transfer insider Dean Jones.

While manager Thomas Tuchel would "ideally" like both, Jones has told GIVEMESPORT that the noises coming out of Stamford Bridge suggest the Blues have a much better chance of landing the Sevilla defender.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

What is the latest news involving Kounde and Kimpembe?

According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Chelsea are hopeful of agreeing a deal for Kounde this week but face getting caught up in a bidding war with Barcelona.

Jacobs has stated that Sevilla are desperate for the two European giants to get into a battle for the Frenchman so that they can rake in a fee of €65m (£55m).

Kounde is not the first player to attract interest from both Barcelona and Chelsea this summer. The two recently went head-to-head for Raphinha's signature, with the La Liga outfit coming out on top.

Elsewhere, the Daily Mail recently claimed that the west London club had made a £40m offer for Paris Saint-Germain's Kimpembe as Tuchel looks to continue rebuilding his defence.

What has Jones said about Kounde, Kimpembe and Chelsea?

Jones has told GMS that the impression he is getting from Chelsea is that Kounde is more likely to arrive than Kimpembe.

The journalist said: "Speaking to someone at Chelsea on Monday night gave me the impression they see Kounde as more likely than Kimpembe at this moment in time.

"I don't think it's that they prefer Kounde - ideally they would get both - but there just seems to be quite a few hurdles to get over with Kimpembe.”

Who do Chelsea need more, Kounde or Kimpembe?

With Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen having already left the club and Cesar Azpilicueta expected to follow them to Spain, the Premier League outfit could probably do with both Kounde and Kimpembe.

However, after signing Kalidou Koulibaly, who had been playing as a left-sided centre-back at Napoli, Kounde may be the smarter investment.

In contrast to the left-footed Kimpembe, Kounde operates on the right side of defence, even playing at right-back on occasions. It makes him the perfect replacement for Azpilicueta should the Spaniard join Barcelona this summer.

Ultimately, with Koulibaly capable of playing on the left of Tuchel's back three, there is not a pressing need for Kimpembe. So if Chelsea have to put all of their efforts into signing one out of the PSG man and Sevilla star, it should be the latter.