Chelsea’s transfer plans may be in ruins as a result of a last-minute agreement between Barcelona and Sevilla to acquire Jules Kounde, according to reports in Spain.
The two teams had been vying to sign the France international this summer, but Chelsea seemed to have made a definitive move by agreeing to a cost of about £55 million at the end of the week.
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, was even seen on camera assuring a fan that Kounde would be moving to Chelsea after the defender supposedly received a call from Thomas Tuchel.
However, the Catalan club never gave up on trying to sign the 23-year-old and has been in contact with Sevilla representatives all night and early in the morning.
On his Jijantes FC Twitch channel, reputable Spanish journalist Gerard Romero said that on Saturday morning, Barcelona and Kounde signed a preliminary deal.
Sevilla had previously doubted that Barcelona would be able to match or even come close to Chelsea’s £55 million offer, but after the Blaugrana pulled another financial “lever,” they have now verbally agreed to terms.
Although he wasn’t ready to turn down a move to Chelsea like Raphinha did earlier this summer, Barcelona always believed the Frenchman preferred a move to Camp Nou over a move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea appeared to be close to signing Kounde, but Barca persisted until the necessary paperwork was submitted and the transaction was finalized.
Mateu Alemany, the director of football, engaged in lengthy talks with Sevilla on Friday night and Saturday morning, and Barcelona now believes it has won the race to sign the center-back.
Romero also asserts that Ousmane Dembele, a winger for Barcelona, was instrumental in persuading his international teammate to transfer to Camp Nou by calling him.
Since they initially tried to recruit Kounde last summer, Chelsea has been quite confident in getting him, and when he spoke to the media on Friday, Tuchel appeared to be in a good mood.
He was asked about Kounde, and he responded, “No news,” while grinning broadly. If there are any updates on Jules Kounde, I’ll let you know.
Tuchel once more smiled broadly and retorted, “That’s what you say, but I will not start commenting on other players,” in response to the claim that Kounde had shunned Barca.
If Barcelona were able to outbid Chelsea, it would be nothing short of a catastrophe for the Blues and the second time this summer that the Catalan team has derailed their transfer ambitions.