Chelsea is making a serious bid to sign Barcelona’s highly rated defender this summer, re-opening their interest following their failure in 2022.
Barcelona is keen, though, to hold on to their in-form player, who has been a staple in Hansi Flick’s team and has played mainly as a right-back.
The player is Jules Kounde, according to a report by Diario Sport.
Koundé, 25, was acquired from Sevilla for more than €50 million and is now the world’s top player at the position. By profession, a center-back, he has prospered as a full-back under Flick, featuring in virtually every game.
He is signed until 2026, and Barcelona is already negotiating to extend his contract, aware Chelsea is interested.
The Blues need to bring in a top-class central defender who is also good at playing central defence and fullback, and the top of their targets is the Bournemouth center-back Huijsen.
However, Real Madrid is also interested in signing Huijsen, so Chelsea is particularly desperate to sign Koundé. Although the Frenchman is happy at Barça, Chelsea can offer him a centre spot and more wages—a very tantalizing package when Barcelona is broke.
Barça sporting director Deco is aware that a monster bid may arrive, but Barça is in the driving seat with the €1 billion buyout option of Koundé and two years remaining on his deal.
However having an extension is better to possess a stronger negotiating bargaining chip. Koundé has already had to choose between Chelsea and Barça in the past, but the situation is different now.
Barcelona is bringing in Jonathan Tah and already possesses enough center-backs, so Koundé would be a surplus to requirements at right-back.
Chelsea will try to test Barça’s determination in the coming weeks by making a colossal offer.
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