Catalan giants Barcelona have reportedly reached a pre-agreement with Jules Kounde over a four-year contract, with Chelsea set to face defeat in his pursuit.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Barcelona and Jules Kounde have pre-agreed to a four-year contract lasting until June 30, 2026. The Sevilla defender is also a target for Chelsea over a possible €65 million move in the summer transfer window.
The Jules Kounde transfer saga is reaching the final stage, with Barcelona seemingly ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign the French centre-back. The two European heavyweights have traded blows in the last few weeks, and the Blues were once on the verge of sealing the deal to sign Kounde.
But Barcelona quickly swooped in to hijack Chelsea’s move for the 23-year-old, reaching an agreement in principle with Sevilla over a deal for the player. Kounde, for his part, has been eager to join Barcelona over Chelsea, and the latest development would have left him chuffed.
The French international has become one of Europe’s most highly sought-after defenders on the back of three excellent seasons with Sevilla. Kounde has turned out 133 times thus far for the Andalusian club while also becoming a regular fixture for Les Bleus ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. And his exploits have captured the attention of Barcelona and Chelsea.
The Catalan giants desperately need to sign another centre-back despite securing the services of ex-Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen in a Bosman move. But with Gerard Pique closing in on his final days as a professional footballer and Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza surplus to requirements, signing someone like Kounde has become necessary for Barcelona.
On the other hand, Chelsea’s decision to resume the year-long pursuit of Kounde was borne out of the departures of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger as free agents. In addition, Cesar Azpilicueta could join Barcelona this summer, compelling Chelsea to remain in the market for another centre-back despite signing Kalidou Koulibaly.
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But Kounde is on the cusp of moving to Barcelona instead of Chelsea, pre-agreeing to a four-year contract with the Blaugrana. As for Chelsea, the Blues need to go back to the drawing board and have no time to lick their wounds after facing defeat in the race to sign the 23-year-old French international.
