Jules Kounde one step from Barcelona as Catalan club complete turnaround

Just two weeks ago we would have had Chelsea as overwhelming favourites to sign Jules Kounde. Yet tonight we have word from the well connected Gerard Romero that the defender is one step away from Barcelona.

📺 DIRECTO @jijantesfc

📁 Koundé: Todo pactado con el jugador. El Barça cree que por 55-60M el club andaluz aceptará. Veremos si entran más jugadores en la operación#jijantesfc #mercato

Más carpetas en https://t.co/ddsJTtAFRd

— Gerard Romero (@gerardromero) July 5, 2022

What’s changed in that time? Well, Chelsea have changed their transfer team, from one who had prioritised Kounde and were close to a deal with him and Sevilla, to one who prefers Matthijs de Ligt.

Then there’s Barcelona, who have managed to sell a chunk of their future TV rights for some summer spending money, as well as Clement Lenglet to Tottenham. After registering their free transfers, it seems they’re keen on Kounde as a big name signing to their back line.

Romero says they’ve agreed personal terms and Barca think they can afford the €55m go €60m it would take to get Sevilla to sell. What seemed unlikely two weeks ago now seems almost certain, and Chelsea can remove another major target from their shortlist.