Jules Kounde Would Become Barça’s Sixth Signing For Next Season. According to people familiar with the negotiations, Barcelona is close to finalizing the signing of French center back Jules Koundé. The transaction may be completed soon as the gap in income between Barcelona and Sevilla is closing.
The player, according to the same sources, wanted to sign for Barcelona and even has a personal agreement for the following four seasons, but Sevilla had almost completed the sale of Kounde to Chelsea for about 65 million euros (55 million fixed plus ten in variables).
Jules Kounde Would Become Barça’s Sixth Signing For Next Season. Barcelona then committed fully. Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, has an excellent working relationship with the French middleman Jorge Mendes, who was used by Sevilla, and Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez called him to explain his project.
Then Mateu Alemany, the director of football at Barcelona and one of the key players in the summer transfer market, entered the discussion.
Sevilla was seeking 65 million for Kounde, and Chelsea was willing to meet that demand—albeit with installments and caveats. However, after Barcelona made their initial offer of 45 (40+5), according to ‘TV3′, Sevilla lowered their demands to 55 (50+5), assuming the player would only accept the Catalans’ offer.
Kounde would join Kessie, Christensen, Raphinha, Dembele, and Lewandowski as Barcelona’s sixth acquisition for the upcoming season if the talks move quickly.
Some rumors—unconfirmed by “EFE”—state that the player would even travel to New York, where Barça will play the New York Red Bulls, from Wednesday through Sunday, to take part in the tour’s last leg.
Aside from Kounde, Barça is still in talks to add a few full-backs to their roster because they are lacking players at that position.
