FC Barcelona have confirmed in principle an agreement to sign 23-year-old French defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla, fending off interest from Chelsea in signing the player.

The French international will cost around 50 million euros, plus 10 million in variables. He is Barca's fourth signing of the summer, following Raphinha, Franck Kessi, Andreas Christensen and Robert Lewandowski, and his arrival takes Barca's summer spending to around 150 million euros despite the club's massive debts.

The club has been able to raise money to make signings through a deal that has seen them sell 25 percent of their TV rights for the next 25 years, although they will need to offload players in order to meet La Liga's wage ceiling requirements.

Kounde can play in either central defense or at right back, and he and Christensen will provide competition to veteran Gerard Pique, Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo.

Meanwhile Clement Lenglet has joined Tottenham on a season loan, while the club is looking to sell Oscar Mingueza, with Getafe a possible destination.

Kounde is the latest in a long line of players to join Barcelona from Sevilla, following Dani Alves, Ivan Rakitic, Adriano and Seydou Keita.

He joined Sevilla in 2019, making 134 first-team appearances and scoring nine goals.

The signing means Barca is likely to drop their interest in Athletic Club Bilbao's Spain international Inigo Martinez for this season, although the club is still keen on signing Chelsea left back Marcos Alonso and veteran right back Cesar Azpilicueta. 

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