Foot & Soccer Soccer Match Reports, Football News
Given the riches of options in the centre-back department, FC Barcelona are conceding that they might have to sell one of their central defenders in the summer transfer window.
Ronald Araujo has been heavily linked with an exit, but Xavi Hernandez & co. see him as an integral part of the team and wish to retain him.
As such, some other defender could be offloaded, with Jules Kounde emerging as a possible option due to growing interest in the Frenchman.
Kounde wanted by Chelsea, United, and PSG
Indeed, Mundo Deportivo reports that Chelsea, Manchester United from England, and PSG from France have all taken an interest in Jules Kounde and would be willing to sign him.
In addition, newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan are also admirers of the French international.
Chelsea and Manchester United have been long linked with Kounde, with the former even trying to sign him back in 2022 before he arrived at Barcelona.
Kounde is a man in demand. (Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images)
PSG, too, have taken a liking towards the former Sevilla defender, who has impressed as a makeshift right-back this season.
Now, Newcastle United are also understood to have expressed an interest in the 25-year-old French centre-back.
Kounde wants to stay
Despite the growing interest in him, Kounde is not thinking about leaving Barcelona, where he has a contract until the summer of 2027.
But, Barcelona will have to make a decision as they will have a surplus of centre-backs in the squad next season.
Indeed, apart from Araujo and Kounde, the Catalans also have Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen, and Pau Cubarsi while Mika Faye will also push for a first-team berth.
Furthermore, Eric Garcia will be returning from loan and is likely to be retained by Xavi. As such, the sale of Kounde is not entirely ruled out.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication
Source link : https://barcauniversal.com/chelsea-man-united-and-psg-among-clubs-keen-on-e50m-rated-barcelona-defender/
Author : Michel Durant
Publish date : 2024-05-07 07:42:15
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
