Sevilla 'pretty close' to sealing move for Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta

Sevilla are on the brink of sealing a deal for Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta, according to the Spanish side's sporting director.

Kakuta has been on Chelsea's books since 2009 and was tipped for great things upon his arrival in west London as a 16-year-old.

The move cost Chelsea a transfer ban, however, and the Frenchman's impact on the pitch for the Blues has been kept to a minimum.

After five previous loan spells across Europe it was only last season with Rayo Vallecano in Spain that he began to deliver on that initial promise.

A fine 2014-15 season has prompted Sevilla to step in and the club appear set to add Kakuta to their squad ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.

"It is pretty close but no deal is done", Sevilla's sporting director Monchi told AS. "We are making great progress with Chelsea. I am optimistic."

In 2010, Chelsea were banned from making transfers for two windows after being found to have encouraged breach of contract in Kakuta's initial move from Lens in France, before the Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned the punishment.

Kakuta impressed in Chelsea's academy upon his arrival, convincing then-manager Carlo Ancelotti to hand him his first team debut for the Blues in a Premier League game against Wolves in 2009.

The former France Under-21 international would go on to make just five more appearances for the club however before embarking on a series of loan spells with Fulham, Bolton Wanderers, Dijon, Vitesse Arnhem and Lazio.

In the list of retained and released Premier League players list released this week, Kakuta remained listed as a contracted player. He is out of contract this summer, however, having signed a four-and-a-half year deal in December 2010.