Barcelona announce Kounde deal after seeing competition from Chelsea
Barcelona have announced they have reached an agreement to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, with the Blaugrana knocking out competition from Chelsea.
Kounde, who has played for Sevilla since arriving from Bordeaux in 2019, looked set to join Chelsea after also being heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the 2021 transfer window.
However, despite Barcelona apparently failing to match Chelsea's offer of £55m (€65m) for the 23-year-old, the Blaugrana had been touted as the preferred destination of Kounde.
On Thursday, they announced that an agreement was now in place with Sevilla for the transfer of the France international, subject to a medical examination.
Kounde ranked first in duels won (169), second in blocks (17) and second in header clearances (56) among Sevilla players in La Liga last season.
His arrival represents another major blow for Barca, who have already bolstered their backline by signing Andreas Christensen, as well as securing marquee deals for Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, after signing free agent Franck Kessie.
Meanwhile, missing out on signing Kounde will be another source of frustration for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, with the Blues struggling throughout a pre-season tour of the United States and also being denied by Raphinha, who favored a move to Camp. No.
Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso continue to be heavily linked with transfers to Barca.
Barcelona have announced they have reached an agreement to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, with the Blaugrana knocking out competition from Chelsea.
Kounde, who has played for Sevilla since arriving from Bordeaux in 2019, looked set to join Chelsea after also being heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge throughout the 2021 transfer window.
However, despite Barcelona apparently failing to match Chelsea's offer of £55m (€65m) for the 23-year-old, the Blaugrana had been touted as the preferred destination of Kounde.
On Thursday, they announced that an agreement was now in place with Sevilla for the transfer of the France international, subject to a medical examination.
Kounde ranked first in duels won (169), second in blocks (17) and second in header clearances (56) among Sevilla players in La Liga last season.
His arrival represents another major blow for Barca, who have already bolstered their backline by signing Andreas Christensen, as well as securing marquee deals for Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha, after signing free agent Franck Kessie.
Meanwhile, missing out on signing Kounde will be another source of frustration for Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, with the Blues struggling throughout a pre-season tour of the United States and also being denied by Raphinha, who favored a move to Camp. No.
Chelsea defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso continue to be heavily linked with transfers to Barca.
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