Chelsea have received an expensive blow in their long-running pursuit of Jules Kounde due to a cunning clause in his Sevilla contract, according to reports in Spain.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is a big admirer of Kounde, with the 22-year-old considered one of the most-promising centre-backs in Europe.
The Frenchman returned to action for Sevilla at the weekend with a comfortable performance in a routine 3-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
Chelsea are said to be keen to step up their chase for Kounde in the coming days - but it will cost them significantly more to land their target.
That is according to Diario AS , which claims the release clause in Kounde's contract increased from €80million (£68m) to €90million (£77m) ahead of the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Nonetheless, the report adds Sevilla are nervous about their prized asset's future as they believe Chelsea may yet meet the increased price.
Manchester City saw a €55million (£47m) bid for Kounde rejected last year before signing Ruben Dias from Benfica, and it is clear the player is worth significantly more now.
Sevilla boss Julen Lopetegui insisted there is no indication Kounde will depart this summer as he spoke after the clash with Rayo Vallecano.
"I don’t have the feeling that this is his last game," he said. "There is nothing that tells me that he will not continue with us.
"He played a very good game. Things can happen until 31st August. We need to strengthen positions and we are working on it."
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Despite Chelsea's strong link with Kounde, Stamford Bridge hero Frank Leboeuf has questioned whether his former side needs another centre-back due to the emergence of Trevoh Chalobah.
The 22-year-old impressed in the Super Cup victory over Villarreal and scored his first goal in the Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
"He had a very good Super Cup final game, then he had a very good game against Crystal Palace," Leboeuf told ESPN of Chalobah. "I have doubts that Chelsea need another defender because they already have lots of defenders.
"I already said Kounde is a fantastic player and he should be playing for Chelsea, but you cannot make everyone happy.
"So, what’s the point in having Chalobah, [Kurt] Zouma, maybe [Andreas] Christensen or [Antonio] Rudiger or maybe Thiago Silva on the bench?
"He [Tuchel] will have to make choices. There are only two seats for five maybe six if Kounde comes. It’s too many. If Chalobah goes on like that, of course, they don’t need Kounde."
