Real Madrid, Barcelona 'battling Chelsea for Jules Kounde'

Real Madrid and Barcelona have reportedly joined Chelsea in the race to sign Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde during this summer's transfer window.

The Frenchman has again been in impressive form for his Spanish club during the 2021-22 campaign, making 30 appearances in all competitions, contributing one goal and one assist in the process.

Chelsea continue to be strongly linked with the 23-year-old, with the Blues believed to have identified him as a leading target ahead of the 2022-23 season.

However, according to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, Real Madrid and Barcelona are also in talks with the defender's representatives over a potential summer move.

Bayern Munich have also been credited with an interest, although Plettenberg has said that the Bundesliga champions are not currently in the race for his signature.

Kounde has little over two years left to run on his contract at Estadio Ramon, and it is believed that his release clause stands in the region of £68.7m.