Kounde reportedly fears Chelsea deal is about to collapse

Jules Kounde is said to be worried that his proposed move to Chelsea might collapse.

According to reports, the France defender is ready to sign a four-year contract with the Blues but Chelsea are reluctant to pay the £68m needed to trigger a release clause in his contract.

Kurt Zouma has been touted for a move to Sevilla as part of an exchange deal.

But with Zouma preferring to stay in the Premier League rather than move to Spain, it appears Kounde’s move is in some doubt.

And the Express have picked up on Spanish publication Diario de Sevilla reporting that Kounde ‘is starting to feel uneasy’ amid doubts over whether his move to Stamford Bridge will happen.

The Hammers are said to be ready to pay in the region of £20m for Zouma – which is believed to be considerably less than the asking price.

He faces the prospect of falling further down the pecking order if the Blues sign his fellow Frenchman Kounde.

According to Sky’s Dharmesh Sheth, Zouma would rather make the move across to east London than head to La Liga.

Speaking on Sky Sports News, Sheth said: “West Ham are prepared to pay around £20m for Kurt Zouma, which falls below Chelsea’s valuation of the player.

“As far as Zouma himself is concerned, he is settled in London and, as it stands, it is thought he would welcome the move to West Ham ahead of being part of that potential swap.”

Zouma has made 99 league appearances for Chelsea since being signed from St Etienne in 2014.

He has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at the club and now looks set to move on