Chelsea came close to signing Jules Kounde while he was still with Sevilla, but ultimately decided on joining Barcelona instead. Now they are monitoring his situation once more in case his price becomes available this summer.
Chelsea are set to make an aggressive push in order to secure France international Kounde, although other clubs remain interested. Liverpool and Manchester City have both been linked with him but Chelsea appear to be leading this particular race at present.
Adding Experience to Chelsea’s Defence
While Chelsea’s ownership currently prioritizes investing in elite young talent, there is increasing openness to adding experience to the squad during the upcoming transfer window. Chelsea have considered Harry Maguire as an option in defence as his contract approaches its end, and Kounde represents a similar opportunity to bring experience that has been missed since Thiago Silva’s departure.
Sources within the industry suggest that Chelsea remain committed to their transfer policy, but would welcome a chance to bring in experienced players if the conditions are right. Kounde has been on their radar for a long time, and there is awareness that he could leave Barcelona this summer. As a result, Chelsea are preparing a determined approach to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
The Challenges of Securing Kounde
However, securing Kounde’s transfer will not be straightforward. Some sources indicate that the player himself is not keen to leave Barcelona at present. Additionally, his valuation is expected to be around £65-70 million, which could prove a significant financial hurdle.
Barcelona needs funds in its current financial difficulties and so generating funds through Kounde’s sale is potentially essential for them. Chelsea or any other interested parties could seek to negotiate for a lower fee or alternative targets if an agreement cannot be made on selling Kounde to Barcelona.
Kounde, at 27 years old and his high salary demands (an expected figure of EUR18 Million annually), may limit his resale value and creates numerous obstacles when trying to sell him, yet Chelsea remains committed and Barcelona willing to sell making for an exciting transfer saga to be watched over the course of 2018.