Revealed: Arsenal want to sign €50m Barcelona star

James Shearman

• Updated: 27 Jun 2024 15:32 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are interested in signing Barcelona defender Jules Kounde this summer, according to journalist Gerard Romero.

The Catalan club beat Chelsea to Kounde's signature two years ago and he has since performed well at Camp Nou.

However, Barca have longstanding financial troubles which mean that almost every player is available at the right price.

READ MORE: Latest Arsenal transfer rumours

Kounde cost €50 million to lure away from Sevilla and his reputation has only enhanced in recent seasons.

It would surely cost Arsenal more than that to bring him to North London in the coming weeks.

Such is his talent, though, that it would still be a shrewd piece of business by Mikel Arteta's side.

Why Arsenal should sign Jules Kounde

Capable of playing as a full-back or centre-back, Kounde can be likened to current Gunners star Ben White.

Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu are also similar in playstyle to the 25-year-old.

So, one could argue that there is no need for Arsenal to sign Kounde this summer.

However, as Manchester City have proven over the past several seasons, there is nothing wrong with having a plethora of quality options.

That is especially true when employing injury-prone players, which both Tomiyasu and Timber have turned out to be.

Not to mention, despite White's excellent performances at the Emirates Stadium, Kounde's athleticism would arguably make him an upgrade on the right side of the back four.