Chelsea prepare €150m offer for Barcelona duo

Cameron Smith

Updated: 22 Nov 2024 06:09 GMT
3 min read

Chelsea are reportedly ready to spend €150 million on Barcelona defensive duo Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo.

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The Blues invested heavily during Enzo Maresca’s first transfer window as head coach, but their ludicrous spending is set to continue in 2025 and they have identified their defence as an area of weakness.

Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana have formed a promising partnership during the early weeks of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, but Chelsea are monitoring a number of different centre-backs, including Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah and Club Brugge’s Joel Orondez.

However, the west London giants are also interested in signing both Kounde and Araujo next year, according to TBR Football.

The Barcelona pair have been linked with a move to Chelsea for several seasons, with Kounde on the verge of joining the Blues before his transfer to Barcelona in 2022 and Araujo close to sealing a Stamford Bridge switch earlier this year.

TBR Football claim that Kounde is viewed as the ideal player for Maresca’s system, given his ability to play at both centre-back and right-back, while Araujo’s future at Barcelona remains in doubt and Chelsea are eager to take advantage of the Uruguayan’s current situation at Camp Nou.

In addition, Spanish outlet Fichajes have reported that Chelsea are willing to spend €150m to bring the Barcelona pair to Stamford Bridge in 2025, with a January pursuit on the cards.

© IMAGO - Chelsea want to sign Barcelona defender Jules Kounde

Chelsea want Marc Casado

Chelsea have also been linked with a move for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, but Hansi Flick reportedly views the Spainiard as “untouchable”, with the German boss ruling out a sale next year.

However, the 21-year-old has also garnered interest from Manchester United and the race for his signature is expected to heat up when the 2025 summer transfer window opens.

Reports from Spain indicate that Chelsea could test Barcelona’s resolve by submitting a swap deal offer that includes Enzo Fernandez.