According to a report from Fichajes, Chelsea are keen on acquiring the services of Jules Kounde. They have a long-standing interest in the French defender and are set to revive their pursuit this summer. The London club are prepared to fork out €60 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge ahead of next season.
While he has been a key figure at Barcelona over the years, the Catalan club could look to cash in on him this summer. Kounde made a name for himself while playing for Sevilla. His impressive performances helped him secure a move to the Spanish giants in the summer of 2022.
Over the years, he has featured in a total of 181 matches and has contributed towards 32 goals. While he prefers playing in the heart of the defence, the majority of his appearances at Barcelona have come as a right-back.
His ability to perform at the highest level in both central defence and as a full-back are major reason why Chelsea are keen on his signature. Rosenior wants to strengthen his defence on a priority basis, and the London club consider him an ideal fit for their project, despite the fact that they have often preferred signing players younger than 25.
Not only will he add more quality in the heart of the defence, but the 27-year-old will also provide stiff competition to Reece James and Malo Gusto for the right-back slot. While Barcelona have secured his future with a deal that runs until the summer of 2030, they could still end up sanctioning his departure because of their ongoing financial difficulties.
Cashing in on the French international could allow them to move more freely in the market and land their priority targets ahead of next season. While Kounde is happy at Barcelona, he won’t be against a move to the Premier League. Chelsea are hoping to use it to their advantage during negotiations.
They are preparing an initial offer worth €60 million, but they might have to pay an even higher fee to strike a deal with Barcelona, given Kounde’s contract situation and his importance at the Spanish club. The Blues seem prepared to go as high as €80 million (including add-ons).
