Barcelona are seemingly losing the race for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, with Chelsea in the driving seat for the Frenchman’s signature this summer, 12 months on from when the same transfer fell through.
The Blues have tabled a 65m euro offer for the defender, while personal terms are not thought to be a problem and though Kounde is willing to wait for Barcelona, he is not as steadfast in his desire to join the Blaugrana as Raphinha was when he turned down Chelsea to make the Camp Nou switch.
Chelsea’s £55m bid for Jules Koundé was submitted during the afternoon and it’s still discussed with Sevilla on payment terms, structure and more. Talks on also right now. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Chelsea, waiting for final green light as they know Barcelona are still pushing with the player. pic.twitter.com/UB7akeKcZz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 20, 2022
Five man shortlist drawn up
Now, as per Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Barcelona have prepared for this eventuality by drawing up a five-man list of alternatives to target this summer if they cannot land Kounde.
These include Inter Milan star Milan Skriniar and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, both of whom are two of the most coveted defenders around Europe this summer.
BERGAMO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 11: Joao Miranda de Souza Filho (R) and Milan Skriniar of FC Internazionale look on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia on November 11, 2018 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
Additionally, the club have also shortlisted Roma talent Roger Ibanez, who excelled in the Europa Conference League final, and Athletic Bilbao’s Inigo Martinez is also a target.
But perhaps most surprisingly is Arsenal defender William Saliba, who has only just returned to the club from a brilliant loan spell at Olympique Marseilles.
With two years left on his current deal, the Gunners would look for a significant profit on their £27m investment in 2019 if they were to sell at all, which could put Barcelona off any deal.
