Chelsea and Sevilla are ‘close to reaching an agreement’ for Jules Koundé, but the player is now only interested in a move to Barcelona.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who say there are more ‘twists and turns’ on the horizon in the long-running saga of the Frenchman’s future.
Earlier today, we covered a report from ABC Sevilla that stated Chelsea were pushing to get a deal for Koundé over the line, and the negotiation seems to be closed.
Foot Mercato now back that up but say that while the two sides are close to an agreement, the player is throwing a spanner in the works.
They say that Sevilla believe they will lose Koundé by the end of July, and he is the subject of an ‘incredible summer transfer battle’ between Chelsea and Barcelona.
The Blues are the favourites thanks to their ‘financial strength’, but recent transfers and the financial windfall made available to Barcelona make them a ‘very serious contender’.
Chelsea are aware the defender would prefer to move to the Nou Camp but have ‘moved on’ and reached an agreement with Sevilla regardless.
Koundé, though, believes he would be better off at Barcelona as he could become a pillar of the team there. That would be harder at Stamford Bridge, where there is increased competition.
In the meantime, Barcelona have ‘asked’ the defender to ‘reject’ all other offers, starting with the one from Chelsea.
Sevilla aren’t happy with that and are becoming ‘impatient’ with the situation. In fact, Monchi has ‘grown tired’ of the situation and told the player that if Barcelona don’t make a firm bid and quickly, he will ‘do everything’ to send him to England.
That wouldn’t be a tragedy for Koundé, as Chelsea were always his Plan B. He does, though, prefer a move to Barcelona.
Whether the Catalans will make their bid remains to be seen, but recent reports have suggested that, after tying up Robert Lewandowski, they will now turn their attention to the Frenchman.
