Barcelona 'plotting to hijack Chelsea's Jules Kounde move this summer'

Barcelona ‘are plotting to hijack Chelsea’s move for Jules Kounde’ after Xavi pinpointed the Sevilla defender as a top transfer target this summer… and the Spanish club also want to take Andreas Christensen AND Cesar Azpilicueta

  • Chelsea could face competition from Barcelona for Jules Kounde’s signature
  • The Blues almost signed Kounde from Sevilla in last summer’s transfer window
  • They are also expected to come back in for the France defender this summer
  • But reports suggest Barcelona are also looking to bring him to the Nou Camp
  • Catalans manager Xavi believes Kounde would help fix his leaky defence 

Barcelona are set to rival Chelsea for the signature of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer, according to reports in Spain.

Chelsea came close to prising Kounde, 23, away from Sevilla last summer, only for the Spanish club’s £60million asking price to prove out of their reach.

Instead, Thomas Tuchel turned to academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah, who has hit the ground running to become an important member of the Blues’ senior squad.

Barcelona are reportedly set to rival Chelsea for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer

Despite this, it is believed Stamford Bridge officials are still eyeing up a potential move for Kounde this summer amid doubts over the futures of three key defenders.

Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta are all out of contract at the end of June, with negotiations over extensions so far proving unsuccessful.

Kounde, who admitted missing out on a move to Chelsea affected him mentally at the start of the season, therefore remains on their radar ahead of the next transfer window.

Barca manager Xavi is said to have identified Kounde as a top transfer target this summer

Yet according to Spanish outlet Sport, Barca are looking to hijack the Blues’ pursuit of the France international this summer.

Catalans boss Xavi is understood to be an admirer of Kounde, whom he feels is capable of fixing a leaky defence which has shipped in 25 La Liga goals so far this season.

And if plotting to beat them to his signature wasn’t enough, Barca also want to take Christensen and Azpilicueta on free transfers from Chelsea in July.


The Catalans also want to take Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta from Chelsea

The duo are able to sign pre-contract agreements with foreign clubs while in the last five months of their current deals, and Barca are hoping to convince them to head to Spain in the coming days. 

Nevertheless, one advantage Chelsea hold over the Nou Camp outfit is their superior financial position.

Barca have been left with crippling debts that exceed £1billion due to years of economic mismanagement, meaning the Blues will likely be able to offer Kounde and their out-of-contract stars more enticing financial packages. 




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