Sevilla issue key update over Barcelona and Chelsea target Kounde
Robin Bairner
- 4 Jul 2022 13:46 BST
- 3 min read
Sevilla have given an update on the status of Jules Kounde, who is a transfer target for both Barcelona and Chelsea.
The two European giants are both desperate for defensive reinforcements this summer but progress in the transfer market has been slow.
Chelsea have yet to register a single signing while Barcelona only sealed the arrival of Franck Kessie on a free transfer on 4 July. Meanwhile, Blues defender Andreas Christensen is expected to join the Camp Nou side imminently, with pre-season at Barca having started on Monday.
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Both clubs, meanwhile, have been closely linked with Kounde for many months. Indeed, Barca’s interest has ramped up in recent times, with reports that they are willing to offer attacker Memphis Depay as a bargaining chip in return for the France international centre-back, who is also capable of playing on the right of defence.
Monchi, Sevilla’s sporting director, has addressed these rumours.
“There are zero contacts with Barcelona for Jules Kounde. No talks ongoing,” he said. “I understand why Xavi would be interested as Ronald Araujo and Kounde together would be a great pairing, but there’s nothing.”
Kounde hope for Barca and Chelsea
Tellingly, Monchi did admit that Sevilla are already looking at a replacement for the former Bordeaux man, who joined the club in 2019 for €25 million.
“Marcao? He’s one of many options on my shortlist,” he said of the Galatasaray centre-back, effectively admitting that the door is open for the France defender to leave.
Sevilla pushed last season to secure the full value of Kounde’s release clause, which is set at €80m. It is expected, however, that they would settle for a lesser valuation this summer. Previous reports suggested that €60m plus €10m in bonuses might be enough to do a deal, but this is above Chelsea’s valuation and Barcelona are coming out of a period of financial difficulty.
