Arsenal are ready to table an offer worth €75 million to sign Barcelona defensive mainstay Jules Kounde amidst interest from Chelsea.
According to a report from Fichajes, Arsenal are keen on reinforcing their backline ahead of next season, and they have their eyes set on Barcelona’s Jules Kounde. The Gunners are willing to make a significant financial investment to lure him to the club, but they might have to face significant competition from rivals Chelsea.
Kounde made a name for himself while playing for Sevilla. His consistent performances in the Spanish top flight caught the attention of the Catalan giants, who paid a premium to add him to their squad in the summer of 2022.
The 26-year-old has been a consistent performer for the Spanish giants over the last few seasons. He has been ever-present in Hansi Flick’s team this season. Kounde has racked up over 4,000 minutes of first-team action across his 49 appearances, and he even has 11 goal contributions.
While reports back in the day suggested that he wasn’t entirely comfortable playing as a right-back, all of his recent appearances have come in that position, and he now seems to be thriving in the role under Flick.
He is an integral part of the German manager’s plans moving ahead and still has two years left on his deal at the club, but there has been a lot of talk about his future of late. While Barcelona do not have any intentions of sanctioning his departure, their financial situation could complicate things.
Their need to balance the books and raise funds for potential signings could force them to make difficult decisions. If they receive a massive offer for the 26-year-old, the Catalan giants could consider sanctioning his departure.
London clubs could battle for Kounde’s signature
Arsenal are aware of Barcelona’s financial situation, and they could look to make the most out of it. The Gunners want to add more quality to their backline this summer, and Kounde is at the top of their wishlist. His ability to feature in the heart of the defence as well as a right-back make him an ideal fit for them.
He could offer valuable cover for their first-choice centre-back pairing of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes while also providing strong competition for the right-back spot. The Gunners are willing to make an offer worth €75 million to convince the Spanish giants to sell one of their stars.
The offer will certainly make them think twice. Meanwhile, the North London club could face competition from rivals Chelsea, who want to add more quality and experience to their backline. Enzo Maresca is keen on adding a commanding presence to lead his defence, and Kounde fits the bill perfectly.
