Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Jules Kounde and are ‘keeping a detailed eye’ on the defender ahead of the summer transfer window, in accordance with reports in Spain.
Kounde has established himself as a daily in Hansi Flick’s starting XI and Barcelona’s hierarchy haven’t any lively plans to usher in an upgrade at right-back for next season.
And while Kounde’s level of consistency has dropped off somewhat from last term, when he scored the decisive goal against Real Madrid within the Copa del Rey final, he still has loads of admirers in Catalonia.
There had been some positive signs of Kounde returning to his best over the winter, just for the full-back to go down with a muscle injury a month ago, meaning he has missed Barca’s last five matches in all competitions.
The France international was recently linked with Liverpool, who’re out there for a more defensive-minded right-back after capturing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.
Based on Mundo Deportivo, Kounde has since appeared on the radar of several other top European clubs – and Barca could consider the player’s departure should they receive an acceptable offer.
The Spanish champions are well aware that Kounde has a lot of potential suitors keeping tabs on the situation, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all said to be circling.
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City are known to be long-term admirers of Kounde, while concrete interest from each Liverpool and Chelsea in a more moderen development. It’s claimed all three Premier League giants are ‘keeping a detailed eye’ on the versatile defender.
Kounde’s current deal on the Camp Nou runs through to June 2030.
After Kounde put pen to paper on a contract extension last August, Barca’s sporting director Deco confirmed that Manchester City had made an approach for the 27-year-old.
‘There wasn’t a proposal as such, but City called to ask if he was available,’ Deco explained on the time.
‘Since we told them no, there was no offer.’
While Barca ideally wish to maintain Kounde ‘to avoid a possible problem’, the opportunity of a sale can’t be completely ruled out, especially if the player isn’t any longer satisfied with the salary increase he received last summer and agitates for a move.
Eric Garcia, Xavi Espart and Ronald Araujo are all able to providing cover at right-back. Barca are also exploring a cope with Al Hilal to increase a loan for Joao Cancelo, who can operate on each flanks.
The report adds that Barca would ‘find it difficult’ to walk away from a deal for Kounde should they receive a bid within the region of €80million for the previous Sevilla and Bordeaux man.
The La Liga leaders are determined to usher in an elite level striker this summer and a big-money agreement for Kounde would raise some much-needed funds for a player akin to Julian Alvarez, who has emerged as their primary goal up front.
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