With reports claiming that Chelsea were close to sealing a deal for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, Spanish reporter Gerard Romero has claimed that Barcelona have hijacked the deal.

According to reliable Spanish journalist Gerard Romero on his Jijantes FC Twitch channel, Barcelona have reached an agreement in principle to sign Kounde.

Chelsea were believed to have reached an agreement with Sevilla for Kounde, for a transfer fee worth £55m, but Romero has caused a stir with his latest report.

The reports are however untrue, as Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo are reporting that the claims have been overblown, with Sevilla insisting that there has been ‘zero contact’ with their Barca counterparts.

El Chiringuito have also debunked the rumour, claiming that Kounde hijack rumours are totally false and feel they are a last-ditch ploy to try and hijack the deal.

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has recently hinted that a deal is in line for Kounde.

Asked about Kounde, Tuchel replied with a big smile on his face: “No news. If there will ever be news about Jules Kounde I will tell you.”

When it was suggested Kounde had snubbed Barca, Tuchel again had a wide grin and replied: “That’s what you say, but I will not start commenting on other players.”