Watch: Fabrizio Romano has Kounde news – Barcelona to battle Chelsea
After fighting it out for Raphinha, Barcelona and Chelsea are set to battle over a new transfer target: Jules Kounde of Sevilla. Fabrizio Romano has brought us up to date on the saga in his latest YouTube video.
Chelsea and Barcelona are both making strong moves to reinforce their squads in this summer’s transfer window.
While Chelsea acted decisively to bring in Raheem Sterling – who had previously been offered to Barca, according to reports – Barca won the race for Brazilian winger Raphinha, the standout player of Leeds’ last two Premier League campaigns.
Chelsea had repeatedly been linked with the Brazilian – and had even had an offer accepted by Leeds. But Raphinha’s heart was set on Barcelona and he eventually got his wish, moving for an initial £50million, joining fellow summer Barca signings Robert Lewandowski, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen.
Now, according to transfer market specialist Romano, that Barcelona versus Chelsea scenario is set to repeat itself with Sevilla’s 23-year-old French centre-back Kounde.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “My feeling is that we are in front of another kind of Raphinha situation.
“Do you remember, guys? A few weeks ago Chelsea reached an agreement with Leeds over Raphinha but then the player wanted to join Barcelona and there was a big battel for two weeks. It was not an easy one. Battle: Barcelona, Chelsea, for Raphinha.
“And then now, new battle: Barcelona, Chelsea, for Jules Kounde. What’s going on, guys? Chelsea submitted an opening verbal proposal during Monday night. The proposal was around [€]50million plus add-ons, around [€]55[million], [€]57[milion] total package for Kounde.
“Sevilla said no to this proposal because they want around €65million for Jule Kounde. The release clause is [€]80[milion], but they are prepared, I am told, to accept [€]65milion for Jules Kounde.”
Romano continued that Chelsea have not been put off by that valuation and are willing “to push again, to try again”. He also reported that Kounde and Chelsea are discussing personal terms.
But, he added, “Barcelona are really strong on [the] player’s side. Because the player has been really tempted by Barcelona for a long time. Xavi called him many times.
“So Barcelona are pushing for Kounde… Barcelona are on it on [the] player’s side. They are pushing to reach an agreement with Jules Kounde on the personal terms.
“At the moment, Kounde is speaking to both clubs… but at the moment Barca are pushing on the player and Chelsea are pushing on Sevilla.”
You can watch the video in full here.
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