Barcelona have joined Chelsea in the chase for Sevilla star Jules Koundé this summer.
A ‘confidential’ report from Sport explains the Catalan club believe the transfer may be feasible for them at around €60m.
Xavi Hernández‘s side will have to pay this amount since their La Liga counterpart are not willing to accept any players as part of a deal for the defender.
However, is the Blues and what they are willing to offer the 23-year-old.
It’s said the France international has received an ‘astronomical salary proposal’ from the west London club. Barca can’t reach the same level because it will make him one of their highest paid players, and it could lead to unrest within the squad.
The main challenge for the Blaugrana and Xavi is to convince the former Bordeaux man to move to the Camp Nou by accepting half of what Thomas Tuchel’s side are offering. Sport state that remains complicated for now.
Barcelona’s entry in the race to sign Koundé has also been discussed by ABC Sevilla. They first relay claims made by Sevilla president, José Castro, that the centre-back can only leave if there is an offer of around €60-65m this summer.
The Spanish giants find it feasible to sign Julen Lopetegui’s man if they somehow manage to ‘alleviate their financial catastrophe’. This, however, won’t be the only problem for them to sign the Sevilla star given Chelsea are keen to secure his services.
Koundé has ‘already agreed’ a five-year deal with the Premier League side, which includes a salary that would be two or three times more than what Barcelona can currently offer.
In fact, these terms were outlined in 2021, when the English club tried signing him last August.
Two sources claim Barca like the Frenchman, but cannot compete with the salary offered by Chelsea.
Sevilla, down their end, now ‘just wait’ for Chelsea, or Koundé’s other suitors, to meet their demands to carry out his transfer this summer.
