The Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez, has provided the latest update on his side’s move for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

Xavi said Barcelona’s board is working on it to get Kounde’s deal done because the Catalan club wants to improve its squad ahead of next season.

Kounde has been linked with a move to Barcelona and Chelsea this summer.

Earlier this week, Chelsea saw a £55million offer accepted by Sevilla for Kounde, while the French defender verbally agreed to a five-year contract with the Blues.

But Barcelona have been urging Kounde to wait for them and the player has now put the brakes on a switch to Chelsea for the time being.

Speaking on Barcelona’s move for Kounde, Xavi was quoted by Fabrizio Romano as saying: “We are at work to improve the squad. The board is working on it." I can’t say more [on Koundé].

“If we have to announce something, we will do it. "Barcelona is more than optimistic.