Chelsea want €60m star as Alonso's next signing
Chelsea are one of five Premier League clubs keeping close tabs on Jules Kounde’s situation at Barcelona, according to reports in Spain.
The 27-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge before opting to join Barcelona and the Blues are once again interested in a potential approach, despite the summer signing of Marco Palestra.
Kounde has been an integral player for Barca since his arrival at the club in 2022, but he has fallen down the pecking order under Hansi Flick and he has only started one La Liga match so far this term, while he has been an unused substitute in their last three league games.
Joao Cancelo and Eric Garcia have both been favoured ahead of Kounde this season and, as a result, transfer speculation is beginning to increase as the January window approaches.
The France international still has over three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Camp Nou, after signing an extension last summer, but his diminished role has attracted the attention of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.
That is according to Spanish outlet SPORT, who claim that Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign Kounde next year.
Barcelona are yet to receive any formal offers for the 27-year-old and it’s understood they currently have no interest in sanctioning a sale at any price. However, Kounde could reportedly push for a move if he fails to work his way back into the starting XI and this may change Barca’s stance on a possible deal in 2027.
Analysis: Should Chelsea sign Jules Kounde?
Kounde is regarded as one of the best right-backs in world football and his skillset appears well-suited to thriving as a wide centre-back in Xabi Alonso’s current 3-4-2-1 system at Chelsea.
He has over 50 caps for France, he has made nearly 200 first-team appearances for Barcelona and he is a proven winner, having secured three La Liga titles in four years at Camp Nou.
However, Chelsea would be directly blocking the development of Josh Acheampong if they sign Kounde and that is a risk not worth taking. Acheampong has the potential to become an England regular and while he is not yet the finished article at 20 years old, he has already proved his credentials with a number of eye-catching performances this season.
The England U21 international appears to be well-liked by Alonso and signing Kounde would therefore be a rather unusual move.
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