Chelsea have contacted Sevilla over the availability of central defender Jules Kounde, according to local reports in Spain.
The Premier League side are in the market for a new defender and recent reports in Italy had suggested they were interested in Juventus defender Matthijs de Ligt as well as Napoli‘s Kalidou Koulibaly.
However, ABC de Sevilla report Chelsea have made contact with the Andalusians over Kounde, who they were heavily linked with 12 months ago.
The report suggests the Stamford Bridge club have told Sevilla they are keen to “close the deal as soon as possible.”
Italian media have reported in recent days that De Ligt’s elevated price has put Chelsea off signing the Netherlands international, which is why they are seeking out alternatives.
Koulibaly is reportedly available as contracts talks with Napoli appear to be at a standstill and he has been linked with Chelsea but Thomas Tuchel’s side seem to be exploring all possibilities.