Chelsea RULED OUT of race to sign €60m star despite Thiago Silva exit 'dream'

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 19 Mar 2024 18:49 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea are reportedly not interested in signing Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, despite suggestions to the contrary among sections of Spanish media.

The Blues actively pursued Kounde during the 2022 summer transfer window, but they were unsuccessful in their attempt to sign him, with Barcelona winning the race for the France international.

The ex-Sevilla star has been linked with a summer move away, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly both 'very interested' in signing him.

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However, Ban Jacobs has told CaughtOffside: “Barcelona recently saw their annual spending limit cut by €66m to €204m, and their squad costs are currently around €400m.

“It’s difficult to predict who could be sold this summer until it’s clear who the new Barcelona manager is, even though Deco is already working towards the summer.

“Jules Kounde and Raphinha are clearly two sellable assets, but neither want to leave. It’s just a case of whether Barcelona’s hand is forced. Raphinha will certainly have some Saudi interest.

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“Kounde is playing out of position at right back, and Barcelona have other centre-back options. 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi breaking through is potentially bad news for Kounde.

“Chelsea are not currently looking at Kounde, despite originally vying with Barcelona in summer 2022 to sign him. PSG are prioritising Lille’s Leny Yoro, but if they fail in that pursuit then they could consider Kounde as an option.”

Kounde has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €57.7 million, as per FootballTransfers' in-house player valuation algorithm.

Thiago Silva to leave Chelsea?

Chelsea have been linked with signing a new centre-back amid Thiago Silva’s uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, but it appears as though Kounde will not be arriving this summer.

Silva, 39, has been dropped by Mauricio Pochettino in recent weeks and he has fallen behind Trevoh Chalobah in the pecking order.

The Brazilian has under four months left on his current contract at Chelsea and he is yet to sign a renewal.

Furthermore, Fluminense sporting director Fred has admitted to ESPN (via The Evening Standard): “Thiago Silva has been a dream of ours for a long time, the president talks to him almost every week.

“Thiago has a contract in England, we’re rooting for him, I personally am a friend of his, I’m a big fan of his character, he deserves all the best. He knows that here the doors are wide open for him to return. There’s nothing [imminent].

“We have to be careful not to put pressure on Thiago. The fans love Thiago, we love Thiago, and Thiago loves Fluminense. One day it’s inevitable, it will happen, it’s the player’s wish, the club’s wish and we hope it happens as soon as possible.”