La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly the front-runners to secure the services of Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, a target for Chelsea.
A report by Spanish outlet Fichajes has touted Barcelona to be in the pole position to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla in the summer transfer window. The Sevilla defender is also a target for Chelsea, but the Blues are focusing on securing the services of other centre-backs ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Jules Kounde has set the stage alight since joining Sevilla from Bordeaux in July 2019. After 133 appearances for the Andalusian giants in the last three years, the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga while becoming a regular fixture in the French national team.
But Kounde’s journey at Sevilla seems to have ended as European bigwigs chase his signature in the summer transfer window. The player himself seems ready to embark on a new adventure ahead of the 2022/23 season, with Barcelona and Chelsea reportedly hot on his heels over a possible move.
The interest from Barcelona has emerged due to Gerard Pique’s advancing years. The ex-Spanish international is in the final phase of his glittering career, meaning the Catalan giants need to lay down a succession plan for him, especially with Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza not in Xavi Hernandez’s plans.
Kounde is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana hatching different plans to prise him away from Sevilla this summer. And Barcelona might have a clear run at the 23-year-old centre-back, with Chelsea unlikely to pursue him in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea had been keen on securing the services of the French defender last summer before a move failed to materialise. Kounde also featured on Chelsea’s radar this year, but they have set their sights elsewhere in the past few days. The Blues have already agreed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, with Nathan Ake closing in on joining them from Manchester City.
Kounde is thus closer to joining Barcelona, who might offer Memphis Depay in a deal to sign the youngster this summer. It will be interesting to see if Barcelona’s ploy works as they look to prise Kounde away from fellow La Liga club Sevilla this summer.
