FC Barcelona entered the market for another center-back after securing the signing of Andreas Christensen, albeit subject to confirmation.
The board is clearly concerned about Gerard Pique’s longevity and has identified Jules Kounde as their preferred long-term replacement for the veteran center-back.
Barcelona, on the other hand, has encountered significant roadblocks in their pursuit of Kounde. Despite their good relationship with Sevilla, funding a move for the defender could be a problem.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (via BarçaTimes) has provided an update on the saga, claiming that Barcelona’s interest in Kounde is still “serious.”
Despite the potential financial obstacles, the club is still determined to sign the Frenchman, who is highly regarded by Xavi Hernandez and has been identified as the ideal long-term solution to the club’s defensive woes.
According to Romano, Sevilla is expected to demand around €55-65 million for Kounde, rather than the previously speculated fee of €80 million.
The Italian, however, adds Chelsea is gaining ground in the race to sign Jules Kounde. The Blues were on the verge of signing the youngster last summer, but the deal fell through when Sevilla changed their demands at the last minute.
Chelsea will be desperate to sign Kounde this time around, with the likes of Christensen, Cesar Azpilicueta, and Antonio Rudiger set to leave in the summer, and are expected to match their demands.
The same cannot be said for Barcelona, who are currently mired in a financial crisis and must sell unwanted stars in order to fund a move to newer players this summer.
