Chelsea have been dealt a potential blow in their chase for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde as Barcelona have emerged as a potential destination for the French defender.
That is according to local radio station Catalunya Radio, who claim that talks between the Blaugrana and the Frenchman are now ‘advanced’, with a fee expected to be in the region of 60m euros, alongside a player heading in the opposite direction, although the player in question is not specified.
🚨🚨| BREAKING: Talks between FC Barcelona & Sevilla for Jules Koundé are now ADVANCED. The transfer would be completed for €55-60M + one player.@CatalunyaRadio [🎖️]
— Managing Barça (@ManagingBarca) June 15, 2022
Chelsea were thought to be closing in on a deal for the defender, with Goal.com revealing that ‘Kounde remains Chelsea’s primary target and it is believed they will push to complete the deal as soon as they get feedback that the minor surgery was a success’.
‘It will leave the Blues able to complete the deal in early July at the latest, giving him a chance to be part of the pre-season group’, they added added.
Can Barcelona afford him?
Much has been made about the potential financial issues at the Camp Nou this summer, and it remains a serious problem, according to Matteo Moretto, who claims that Chelsea remain in front despite the mutual desire to make the move done on the parts of Kounde and Barcelona head coach Xavi.
Tema Jules Koundé: sí, Xavi le quiere seguro, y el Barça se reunió con su representante, pero es muy complicado por un tema económico. A día de hoy la Premier sigue estando en la pole. @relevo👇 https://t.co/G5XE4DotiP
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) June 15, 2022
Of course, this could change should Barcelona find finances elsewhere (say, selling Frenkie de Jong this summer), which means that Chelsea are likely going to need to wrap the deal up in the near future.
Read more:
Barcelona will not offer Dani Alves a new contract as they ‘assume’ replacement will arrive
Revealed: Manchester United’s ‘lowest priority’ this summer
