The 22-year-old defender is wanted at Chelsea and they are in talks with Sevilla over taking the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been planning to sign a new centre-back since Thomas Tuchel arrived in January due to the age and contract situation of a few of their defenders.
The Blues tracked a number of players, but Kounde has emerged as the clear favourite for the club this summer.
And it has been claimed that Chelsea are determined to get a deal over the line to take the 22-year-old centre-back to west London.
Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Frenchman for over two years and he is their number one target.
Kounde has a £68m buy-out clause but Chelsea are looking to bring that price down by offering players to Sevilla.
The Premier League club are ready to let Kurt Zouma move to Spain as part of the deal to take Kounde to Stamford Bridge.
But that has been complicated by West Ham’s interest and the 26-year-old’s preference to stay in the Premier League.
