Spanish giants Real Madrid are set to enter the race to sign Chelsea target Jules Kounde, according to a report.
The Blues have been long-term admirers of the Sevilla centre-back and have already had a bid rejected for the Frenchman by the La Liga club, who have stated they will not let him go for anything lower than his £68m release clause.
According to Spanish outlet Onda Cero, Real Madrid would be prepared to activate the 22-year-old's release clause this summer, hijacking any potential deal between Sevilla and Chelsea.
Kounde is said to be keen to secure a transfer to Stamford Bridge before Tuesday's 11pm deadline, though he would also be interested in a move to the Spanish capital if a deal can be agreed.
Los Blancos are in the market for a new central defender following the departures of Sergio Ramos to Paris Saint-Germain and Raphael Varane to Manchester United.
Kounde has played 91 times across all competitions for Sevilla since joining the club from Bordeaux in 2019, including 49 appearances last season.
