Chelsea's pursuit of Kounde is OVER with Blues unwilling to meet Sevilla's price

Chelsea's pursuit of Jules Kounde is reportedly over with the Blues unwilling to meet Sevilla's new valuation of the Frenchman after the Spaniards unexpectedly hiked his price up.

Kounde, 22, appeared destined to move to Stamford Bridge this summer with Chelsea and Sevilla coming close to an agreement over a £43million fee for the defender.

However, The Athletic reports that Chelsea have now halted their swoop for Kounde, in a concerning blow with just hours before the summer window slams shut.

Earlier reports had suggested that Sevilla's new price for Kounde was £68.5m - a figure much closer to his release clause - while The Athletic report that the price has increased by £12.8m.

The Blues have, as a result, decided not to increase their offer and will elect to be left with their current defensive options until the January transfer window.

Despite selling Kurt Zouma to West Ham for £30m, Thomas Tuchel has plenty of defensive options at his disposal, including Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen, Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Cesar Azpilicueta and Reece James,

The German is, though, understood to have discussed Kounde's potential arrival with senior members of the squad.

If no compromise is reached before Tuesday's deadline, the Blues will have made just one signing this summer, with Romelu Lukaku returning to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan in a £98m deal.

Kounde's increase in value follows Zouma's sale to West Ham, while the Spaniards have encountered complications in their pursuit of Lille's Sven Botman - widely regarded as their top target to replace the Frenchman.

Botman, who is also being pursued by Wolves, has been deemed too expensive by Sevilla, although cash-strapped Lille are believed to be looking to cash in before the close of the window.

Various reports suggest that Kounde is keen to seal his move to Chelsea this summer and he missed his side's LaLiga clash at Elche over the weekend, travelling to link up with the France squad instead.

Sevilla president Jos Castro has made it clear to Chelsea and other potential suitors that Kounde will be available, but only for the right price.

'At the moment, Kounde is a Sevilla player,' Castro said. 'What we have done this year is strengthen, we have signed six players.

'We want to have a potent team. We always study the offers when they arrive, but days are running out. At the moment, there is nothing.'