Chelsea close in on €60m deal for Jules Kounde but face competition from Barcelona

20.07.2022 - 09:35 thenationalnews.com

Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal with Sevilla for French defender Jules Kounde but the Premier League club are expected to face competition from Barcelona, according to media reports.

Chelsea, who completed the signing of Senegalese centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly last week, are in the market for more defenders after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

Kounde has been a top target since last summer, when Chelsea were unable to agree a fee with Sevilla, but the Blues are closer this time round to landing the 23-year-old France international.

It is being reported that Sevilla could accept €60 million ($61.4m) for Kounde, €5m less than the buyout clause in his contract, while the player is understood to have agreed personal terms with Chelsea.

Barcelona Sevilla Chelsea on Thomas Tuchel Timo Werner Andreas Christensen Cesar Azpilicueta Antonio Rudiger Kalidou Koulibaly Jules Kounde France Spain Brazil Senegal county Park

"I'm very happy, very proud. I'm coming to a big club, an ambitious club, and I'm also coming with ambition," the 23-year-old said at his first press conference as a Barcelona player on Monday afternoon at the Catalan club's training centre. According to the Spanish press, Barca paid Sevilla 50 million euros, with 10 million in bonuses, for Kounde who has signed a five-year contract.

Chelsea 'pulled out' of Jules Kounde deal due to 'doubts' before Barcelona move, Sevilla's Monchi reveals

Chelsea «pulled out» of a deal for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde due to «doubts» over how he would fit into Thomas Tuchel's squad, according to the Spanish club's director of football, Monchi. Barcelona announced that they had agreed a deal in principle for the Frenchman on Thursday in another apparent transfer blow for Chelsea, who had been strongly connected with the player. Ad/> Monchi has now revealed, though, that a deal was in place to take Kounde to the London club before Chelsea hesitated on concluding the transfer, allowing Barcelona an opportunity to table a bid of their own.

Jules Kounde reveals why he chose Barcelona in first interview since snubbing Chelsea

The 23-year-old was expected to join Chelsea earlier in the transfer window, only for the La Liga giants to swoop in before the deal was completed.

Barcelona beat Chelsea to complete Jules Kounde deal -- sources

Barcelona have beaten Chelsea to the signing of defender Jules Kounde after agreeing a fee of around €55 million with Sevilla, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.