Why Ake's failed Chelsea move is bad news for Barcelona
Karan Tejwani
- Updated: 16 Jul 2022 13:00 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea have been thwarted in their efforts to sign Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and are set to continue their efforts in signing a defender.
The Premier League champions set a high valuation for the Dutchman, which Chelsea were unwilling to meet, and Ake is set to continue playing at the Etihad Stadium.
With that, Chelsea are keen on pursuing other targets, as they look to further bolster their defence having already signed Kalidou Koulibaly.
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And that could be a worry for Barcelona, as the two clubs are set to battle over the signing of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde this summer, with the pair already showing great interest in him.
Barcelona and Chelsea set to fight it out for Kounde
Kounde has made it clear he wishes to leave Sevilla, and Barcelona looked to be in pole position to secure his signing until Chelsea’s reignited interest.
It’s believed that new Chelsea owner and interim sporting director Todd Boehly has personally been keeping an eye on the situation surrounding Kounde, and is keen to wrap a move.
Barcelona were focusing on other transfer targets such as Raphinha from Leeds United and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, and asked Kounde to be patient, but that may cost them now as Chelsea ramp up their interest.
Chelsea are re-working on the signing of Jules Koundé from Sevilla, with the deal being driven by Todd Boehly & co.
- EXCLUSIVE from @Nathan_Gissing pic.twitter.com/eRQ2TDDsDB— Uber Chelsea FC ⭐️⭐️ (@UberCheIseaFC) July 15, 2022
Like Chelsea, Barcelona are also keen to improve their backline following last season, and have already signed Andreas Christensen, following the expiry of his Chelsea contract at the end of last month.
Other than Kounde, Chelsea are also interested in other defenders, such as Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe and Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt.
Last week, it was reported that Barcelona had agreed personal terms with Kounde, and just needed to sort out their financial difficulties before making a move official.
This is a transfer saga that could go long into the summer, with two clubs heavily interested in signing a player that is keen to leave his current side, and it could be resolved right at the end of the window.
