Chelsea's pursuit of Jules Kounde is reportedly over with the Blues unwilling to meet Sevilla's new valuation of the Frenchman after the Spaniards unexpectedly hiked his price up.
Kounde, 22, appeared destined to move to Stamford Bridge this summer with Chelsea and Sevilla coming close to an agreement over a £43million fee for the defender.
However, The Athletic reports that Chelsea have now halted their swoop for Kounde, in a concerning blow with just hours before the summer window slams shut.
Earlier reports had suggested that Sevilla's new price for Kounde was £68.