Why Jules Kounde wants to join Barcelona over Chelsea
FT Desk
- Updated: 23 Jun 2022 12:00 BST
- 3 min read
Jules Kounde wants to join Barcelona instead of Chelsea because he believes it will give him a much better chance of going to the World Cup, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Chelsea and Barcelona are fighting it out to sign the Sevilla centre back this summer.
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The Frenchman is the top defensive target for the Blues, while he is also high up the shortlist for the Blaugrana.
The frontrunners have until now been considered to be Chelsea, who wish to bolster their defensive options as they look to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
The two defenders are set to depart next week following the expiry of their contracts, with Rudiger joining Real Madrid and Christensen going to Barcelona.
To complete the transfer, Sevilla have always asked interested clubs to meet the release clause of €80 million set for the player, and Chelsea are seemingly willing to pay it to get the deal done.
Barcelona are set to receive a massive cash injection that will allow them to sign new players but they don’t have the money available right now like Chelsea do.
Thus, from a financial point of view, Chelsea hold the advantage over Barcelona. They can also offer bigger wages.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Kounde prefers a move to Barcelona because he believes it is better for his World Cup chances.
The World Cup is held in Qatar in November and there is fierce competition for places in Didier Deschamps’ squad.
Kounde will battle with the likes of Raphael Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Lucas Hernandez, Wesley Fofana, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Dayot Upamecano and Kurt Zouma.
And Kounde believes the continuity of staying in La Liga and playing for Barcelona will help him get the nod.
Barcelona are also reported by Mundo Deportivo to have opened negotiations with Sevilla over a deal.
