Man Utd offered Kounde, Ansu to Aston Villa and Kessie wants Barca stay - FootballTransfers' update

Steve Kay

• 9 Jun 2023 12:58 BST
• 3 min read

FootballTransfers brings you the latest transfer news regarding Barcelona, with Jules Kounde, Ansu Fati and Franck Kessie among those taking focus.

Man Utd offered Kounde

Barcelona have offered Manchester United defender Jules Kounde, who was close to signing for Chelsea last summer, having also been of interest to Liverpool.

Erik ten Hag is known to be seeking a centre-back who can also play on the right of defence in a pinch, and Kounde ticks both of those boxes perfectly.

United have been studying other alternatives, however.

MORE: Diogo Costa's agent pushing for Premier League transfer amid Man Utd speculation

Ansu Fati to Aston Villa?

Ansu Fati has recently changed agent to Jorge Mendes in case he is forced out of Barcelona, sources have indicated to FootballTransfers.

The Catalan side need to make sales before they can buy players this summer and president Joan Laporta has earmarked Ansu as one of the players who could most readily be offloaded ahead of the Spanish transfer window opening on 1 July.

MORE: Five Barcelona players who NEED a transfer this summer

Ansu's contract at Barca ends in 2027 and Mendes could potentially push for him to join Aston Villa this summer. The agent has already held talks with the Premier League side and Villa are known to be looking for a player capable of operating on the left wing.

Barcelona are hoping to get good money for a player once dubbed ‘Lionel Messi’s heir’.

Aston Villa could also look to target Pablo Torres, a young midfielder with a handful of first-team appearances. Villarreal are also interested in him.

Kessie wants Barcelona stay

Franck Kessie is one of the players that Laporta wants to force out of Barcelona, but the former AC Milan midfielder is ready to remain at the club for the rest of the season.

His situation echoes that of Frenkie de Jong, who was forceful about remaining at Camp Nou last summer when there was interest from Manchester United and pressure from the board – though not head coach Xavi – to leave the club.

Barcelona may need to find a way of forcing him out the door as Laporta continues to clear up the mess left by Josep Maria Bartomeu.

If he cannot, Barcelona will be stuck with their current pool of players until January at least – a situation that the club, Laporta and the fans would be deeply unhappy with.