Sevilla insists they have NOT received a bid from Barcelona for Jules Kounde as Chelsea close in on £55m French defender - with Todd Boehly set to hold further talks with Spanish side's sporting director Monchi on Sunday

Sevilla maintain they have yet to receive an offer from Barcelona for Chelsea target Jules Kounde as the transfer saga comes to a head.

Chelsea have a £55million agreement in place with Sevilla for the France international and are pushing to finalise the transfer with a five year contract. 

Sevilla sporting director Monchi is due at his club's training camp in Lagos, Portugal on Sunday and is due to talk to Chelsea owner Todd Boehly.

However, Chelsea are wary that Barcelona's threat to make a last-ditch bid is very real following the release of more funds from their TV rights sale last week.

Barca head coach Xavi, who has the distraction of facing old foes Real Madrid in Las Vegas early Sunday morning, is understood to have contacted Kounde to make him aware he would be key to his plans and ask him to wait for their offer before signing for Chelsea. Ultimately though, they have to reach agreement with Sevilla.

President Joan Laporta had indicated Chelsea's bid was too strong for them on Friday and seemed resigned to moving on to other options. 

However, armed with further funds they are threatening to match Chelsea's £55m offer and pay it in two instalments - less than the reputed four proposed by Chelsea.

Kounde has been following a personal training programme in Lagos but took to social media to post an Instagram video about 'achieving dreams' and 'not missing out on opportunities' as the clubs battle to clinch his signature.

The Blues are looking to make the French international their third recruit of the summer having secured deals for £47.5m Raheem Sterling and £34m Kalidou Koulibaly.