Newcastle United are reportedly willing to offer a package worth €75 million to sign Jules Kounde from Barcelona.
According to a report by Spanish outlet El Desmarque, Jules Kounde is the subject of interest from Newcastle United. The Magpies are willing to offer a package worth €75 million to land the 24-year-old Barcelona mainstay. They will submit a base fee worth €50 million, with the remaining €25 million being add-ons.
Jules Kounde has made considerable progress since joining Barcelona from Sevilla last year. The French international was already one of the best defenders in La Liga when he arrived at Camp Nou. But he has still come leaps and bounds at the Catalan club, becoming a mainstay at the back for the Blaugrana.
The 24-year-old excelled as a right-back in the 2022/23 season but has featured in his preferred centre-back spot this term. Kounde has turned out over 50 times thus far for Barcelona, chipping in with two goals and six assists. But the report claims that the player’s spot might be under threat, with Andreas Christensen breathing down his neck.
Kounde’s stock remains high in the market, with several high-profile clubs showing interest in him. The report suggests Newcastle United will look to poach Barcelona for the defensive mainstay. The Spanish outlet has claimed that the Magpies are ready to offer a package worth €75 million to prise him away from Barcelona.
The Tyneside outfit will submit a base fee of €50 million while offering add-ons worth €25 million. That is an appealing sum for Barcelona to consider, especially amid the never-ending financial duress. But the Catalan giants have previously turned down big offers for pivotal figures, including Frenkie de Jong.
Recent reports have linked Newcastle United with several other centre-backs, including former Barcelona defender Jean-Clair Todibo. The interest in signing a central defender is understandable, considering Fabian Schar is on the wrong side of 30, and Jamaal Lascelles faces an uncertain future at St. James’ Park.
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It is unclear if a package worth €75 million will be enough to tempt Barcelona to part ways with Kounde. But Newcastle United can test the waters and try to poach the 24-year-old defensive mainstay from the Catalan club next year.
