Barcelona will unlikely part ways with Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window amid the Frenchman’s links with Aston Villa.
According to Fabrizio Romano on Give Me Sport, Jules Kounde will unlikely leave Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The reigning La Liga champions are happy with the French centre-back. So, Aston Villa might have to look elsewhere for a centre-back amid the West Midlands club’s recent links with the Barcelona defender.
Jules Kounde and his Barcelona journey so far
Jules Kounde has been one of the best performers for Barcelona since joining the club from Sevilla in a deal worth £42 million plus add-ons in July 2022. While the 25-year-old has not always been a happy camper due to Xavi Hernandez’s insistence on playing him as a right-back, he remains an asset for the club.
The Frenchman has barely missed a game for Barcelona since arriving from Sevilla, turning out 83 times thus far while chipping in with three goals and ten assists for the Blaugrana. However, Kounde’s long-term Barcelona future has been uncertain for several weeks due to the Catalan club’s crippling financial situation.
A few reports have claimed that Barcelona will prioritise parting ways with Kounde in the summer transfer window. Such a situation has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe. And recent updates have linked the French international with Aston Villa.
Premier League calling?
Aston Villa’s interest in Jules Kounde is understandable. While Unai Emery has several centre-backs in his squad, Clement Lenglet will likely return to Barcelona after his loan deal ends. In addition, with Aston Villa closing in on securing a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, they can do with a world-class player.
Kounde has thus emerged as a viable target for the West Midlands club. Meanwhile, other high-profile clubs like Paris Saint-Germain have also shown interest in the Frenchman. However, Fabrizio Romano has allayed fears of Kounde’s departure from Barcelona, insisting that the Catalan giants are happy with him.
So, Aston Villa must look elsewhere for central defensive reinforcement in the summer transfer window. However, it will be interesting to see if they can turn the French defender’s head amid the uncertainties surrounding his future.
