Catalan giants Barcelona have reportedly stolen a march on Chelsea in the race to sign 23-year-old French international Jules Kounde from Sevilla.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, another sensational twist has emerged in the race to sign Jules Kounde. La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have hijacked Chelsea’s move for the 23-year-old French international, reaching an agreement in principle with Sevilla and the player.
The biggest stories in the 2022 summer transfer window have centred around Barcelona – and by extension, Chelsea. While most of the big hitters wrapped up their business early, the Catalan giants have had to wait for the activation of the economic levers to make their moves in the market.
They have been making up for the lost time in the last few weeks, signing Robert Lewandowski while snatching Raphinha from Chelsea. And Barcelona could steal a march on Chelsea for the second time this summer as the two clubs wage a battle to secure the services of Jules Kounde.
Kounde has established himself as one of the best defenders in La Liga after three excellent seasons with Sevilla. At the same time, the 23-year-old, who has turned out 133 times for the Andalusian club, has established a foothold in the French national team and will likely be on the plane to Qatar for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Jules Koundé. While Sevilla sources deny any agreement with FCB as negotiations are ‘only with Chelsea’, Barcelona are preparing an official bid to try and hijack the deal – as @gerardromero reports ??? #FCB
Chelsea, still waiting for Sevilla/Jules “green light” since Thursday. pic.twitter.com/CEaNH3qoZy
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 23, 2022
Kounde’s exploits for Sevilla have captured the attention of Barcelona and Chelsea, with the two clubs desperate to sign a centre-back this summer. Both clubs have already brought in one central defender, but the Blues need to replace Andreas Christensen, who has joined Barcelona in a Bosman move.
At the same time, Cesar Azpilicueta’s links with Barcelona will have left Chelsea apprehensive, with Thomas Tuchel revealing his annoyance in a recent interview. The Chelsea boss might be in for some more frustration, with Gerard Romero claiming that the Catalan giants have stolen a march on the west London club in the race to sign Kounde.
Recent reports had claimed that the 23-year-old was on the verge of becoming Chelsea’s third summer signing. But according to Romero, Barcelona and Sevilla have now reached an agreement in principle for Kounde’s transfer. The French international is now on the cusp of joining Barcelona instead of Chelsea.
Also Read: Three Jules Kounde alternatives for Barcelona
But several other outlets have suggested that the Catalan giants are not any closer to securing the services of the Sevilla defender. That might give Chelsea some hope, but if claims by Gerard Romero are correct, Kounde will soon officially be a new Barcelona player.
