With Kurt Zouma joining West Ham, Chelsea are in the market to bring in a defender ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Kounde has been their top target in recent weeks and Chelsea have been in talks with Sevilla over taking the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Sevilla rejected an initial €50m proposal from Chelsea and the Blues have been expected to table another bid of €60m.
But according to Spanish daily AS, Sevilla are now not prepared to sell the defender unless his release clause is met.
Kounde has an €80m release clause in his contract and Sevilla are insistent that the figure needs to be triggered by his suitors.
The Frenchman is keen to join Chelsea but is not prepared to go to war with Sevilla for the move.
With Sevilla demanding the full clause, the 22-year-old is now more likely to stay at the club this season.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea are prepared to push the boat out for Kounde ahead of tomorrow’s deadline.
