Premier League heavyweights Chelsea have reportedly agreed to a transfer fee worth £55 million with Sevilla to sign Jules Kounde, a target for Barcelona.
According to a report by The Sun, Chelsea and Sevilla have reached an agreement over a deal worth £55 million, including add-ons, over a move for Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window. The French defender is also a target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana trying to usurp him to his signature.
Jules Kounde has been one of the hottest properties in the transfer market this summer, with his stock skyrocketing in the last three years. The 23-year-old joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in July 2019 and has come leaps and bounds since then, establishing himself as a mainstay at the back for the Andalusian club.
The French international has made 133 appearances for Sevilla thus far, chipping in with nine goals and three assists. But Kounde might have played his final game for Los Nervionenses, with some of Europe’s most high-profile clubs, including Barcelona and Chelsea, keen on securing his services in the summer transfer window.
The Catalan giants are looking to lay down a succession plan for Gerard Pique, with the former Spanish international in the twilight of his glittering career. In addition, with Samuel Umtiti and Oscar Mingueza not featuring in Xavi Hernandez’s plans, Barcelona cannot do with just a solitary central defensive addition in former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen.
Jules Koundé deal. Chelsea are now feeling confident as £55m bid was in line with Sevilla expectations, but still waiting for final green light. Thursday, key day. ? #CFC
Deal until 2027 offered to Koundé.
No Barcelona bid, as of now – club still in contact with Koundé. pic.twitter.com/kHYOxTu5rS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 21, 2022
Kounde is thus a viable target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana attempting different ploys to land the French centre-back this summer. But Barcelona might end up conceding defeat to Chelsea in the race to sign the 23-year-old from Sevilla, with the Blues agreeing to a deal worth £55 million with Sevilla.
The package includes a base fee worth £51 million, with the remaining £4 million being add-ons. Chelsea’s latest offer has come in the wake of Sevilla rejecting their opening bid, and they have quickly followed up with the improved proposal worth £55 million to clinch the deal. Interestingly, Kounde will likely replace new Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen.
According to the report, personal terms will not be an issue for Chelsea, with the Blues reportedly offering him lucrative terms. Kounde will likely undergo his medical within the next 48 hours. So with the west Londoners closing in on signing the Sevilla defender, Barcelona will have to identify alternatives to Kounde, unless they can hijack the deal in the eleventh hour.
