Sevilla drop Jules Kounde from 31-man squad for pre-season camp in Portugal

Sevilla have officially released the list of the players that will be travelling to Portugal for their second pre-season camp of the summer. And there is a notable name missing from the list, with Jules Kounde axed from the travelling squad.

The 23-year-old has been at the centre of the transfer tug of war between Chelsea and Barcelona.

While reports continue to indicate that Chelsea are closing in on the capture of the €65 million-rated defender, Barça are pushing Kounde not to accept the Blues’ proposal and wait for them to make an offer.

The 23-year-old, for his part, is reportedly keen on joining the Catalans and has a contract agreement with them already. However, with an official offer yet to come from Barcelona, Sevilla are ready to push ahead with the operation with Chelsea.

And Kounde, despite harbouring hopes of a move to Camp Nou, could be open to the prospect of signing for Chelsea, who have been after his signing since last year.

Things are expected to get clear in the coming few hours as both teams fight it out for his signing. And with the defender set for an exit, Sevilla have opted not to name him in the squad for the Portugal pre-season camp.

The Andalusian club had already stopped the sales of his shirt at their official stores and this omission from the squad is the latest sign that Kounde is headed for an exit from the club imminently.

What remains to be seen is whether the French international moves to England by joining Chelsea or stays in La Liga and signs for Barcelona.