Kurt Zouma reportedly rejects the opportunity to sign for West Ham United, leaving Chelsea stuck in their pursuit of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

Chelsea's pursuit of Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde has reportedly hit a brick wall after Kurt Zouma rejected the opportunity to move to West Ham United.

Los Palanganas are thought to be holding out for a sum of £68m for Kounde in straight cash, which has supposedly led Chelsea to try to drive the price down with a part-exchange deal.

Thomas Tuchel must do away with one of his existing centre-backs before moving for Kounde, though, and West Ham were understood to have been in talks over a move for Zouma.

However, The Guardian now claims that the Frenchman - who was initially tipped to head to Sevilla as part of a deal for Kounde - has told West Ham that he has no interest in a move to the London Stadium.

Sevilla are also thought to be admirers of Andreas Christensen, but the Blues have supposedly refused to consider using the Denmark international in any bid for Kounde, and Brazilian attacker Kenedy is now rumoured to have been mentioned in negotiations.

Zouma scored five goals in 24 Premier League games last term - starting 22 of them - and his existing deal at Stamford Bridge is set to expire in 2023. body check tags ::

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