Barcelona will prioritise selling Jules Kounde this summer to raise funds, handing a boost to Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Jules Kounde might not be a Barcelona player next season. The reigning La Liga champions are ready to cash in on him in the summer transfer window. With the Blaugrana prioritising the Frenchman’s sale, his suitors, including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, have a shot in their arms.
Jules Kounde and his Barcelona Stint
Jules Kounde has been among the best defenders in La LIga for several years. The 25-year-old rose in prominence during his three-year stint with Sevilla before joining Barcelona in a deal worth €50 million in July 2022. Since then, he has been a dependable performer for the Catalan outfit.
Xavi Hernandez has primarily utilised Kounde as a right-back, and he has excelled in the role, even though he prefers to play as a centre-back. The French international has turned out 73 times thus far for Barcelona, chipping in with three goals and ten assists. But Kounde faces an uncertain future at the Catalan club due to the never-ending financial mess. Such a situation has piqued the interest of Premier League bigwigs like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United.
A Man in Demand
Chelsea wanted to sign Kounde two years ago, but the player chose Barcelona as his preferred destination. However, the Blues remain interested in the Frenchman, who can potentially be a long-term replacement for Thiago Silva. With the veteran Brazilian entering the final months of his contract, he will likely leave Chelsea as a free agent.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s interest in Jules Kounde stems from the uncertainties surrounding the long-term future of Joel Matip. The Cameroonian defender has entered the last six months of his contract with the Merseyside club and will likely leave as a free agent this summer. So, the Barcelona defender is an option worth considering to replace Matip.
As for Manchester United, an overhaul is on the cards this summer, with Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, and Jonny Evans facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford. So, it behoves Manchester United to invest in a centre-back, with Kounde emerging as a viable target.
Barcelona can potentially recoup more than €50 million from Kounde’s sale. So, it is understandable why they are prioritising his sale heading into the summer transfer window. But the 25-year-old does not want to leave Barcelona anytime soon, meaning Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United might have a tall order landing him.
