La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are edging closer to landing Jules Kounde after agreeing to personal terms with the 23-year-old French international.
According to reputed Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, personal terms will not be a factor holding up the deal for Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window. Barcelona will hope to close down the move for the 23-year-old French international for a transfer fee worth around €60 million.
Jules Kounde has become one of the hottest properties in the market on the back of three brilliant seasons at Sevilla since arriving from Bordeaux in July 2019. One of the best defenders in La Liga, the Frenchman is a mainstay at the back for club and country, with his exploits earning him admirers around the world.
The 23-year-old has made 133 appearances for Sevilla while chipping in with nine goals and three assists. But the French international will likely depart from the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in the summer transfer window amid interest from some of the most high-profile clubs in Europe, including Barcelona.
Xavi Hernandez has a plethora of centre-backs at his disposal at Camp Nou, with his options beefing up following Andreas Christensen’s arrival in a Bosman move. But a closer look reveals why Barcelona will be in the market for another centre-back this summer until they get a second such player onboard at the club.
Gerard Pique is in the twilight of his glittering career, meaning Barcelona must lay down a succession plan for him. At the same time, Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet and Oscar Minugueza are surplus to requirements at Camp Nou, while Eric Garcia blew hot and cold for Barcelona last season.
Kounde has thus emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana once considering offering Memphis Depay in the deal for the 23-year-old. But according to Gerard Romero, the Catalan giants are hoping to seal the deal between €55 million and €60 million.
In addition, personal terms will not be an issue, which is hardly surprising, as recent reports claimed that Kounde is keen on joining Barcelona. What now remains to be seen is if Barcelona will table an offer that tempts Sevilla to part ways with the French international this summer.
