Barcelona agree deal with Sevilla for Jules Koundé
FC Barcelona have agreed a deal with Sevilla for defender Jules Kounde, with the Catalan club pipping Chelsea to the France international.
It was widely reported that Chelsea were confident of signing the French international defender, but the 23-year-old has chosen to remain in Spain and adopt Barcelona colours.
Barcelona confirmed this evening that they have reached an agreement with Sevilla for the signing of Kounde, with the defender now set for a medical in Catalonia before putting pen to paper on a contract.
Chelsea, who signed Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly earlier this month and also registered an interest in Manchester City’s centre-back Nathan Ake, will now look towards other centre-back targets. A report earlier this week suggested that the Blues are keen on Leicester’s French defender Wesley Fofana.
Fofana signed a two-year contract extension with Leicester in March. His deal runs until 2027. Chelsea lost Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Spanish football, with the duo joining Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.
The 23-year-old France international will join the Spanish side for a reported €50m providing he passes a medical and agrees personal terms, which is not expected to be a problem given he has already posed for pictures in Barca clothing.
A statement from Barca read: “FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jules Olivier Kounde, awaiting the player passing a medical and the signing of contracts.”
The deal continues Barca’s spending spree this summer following the captures of Raphina from Leeds and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
Kounde joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019 and made 133 appearances for the Andalusian club.
Chelsea lost defenders Andreas Christensen – to Barcelona – and Antonio Rudiger on free transfers this summer and although they have signed Kalidou Koulibaly, Thomas Tuchel is still on the lookout for additional arrivals.
