Sevilla reject Chelsea’s €55 million offer for Barcelona target Jules Kounde – report

A recent report from GOAL Spain has offered a fresh update on the future of Jules Kounde. The Sevilla centre-back has attracted widespread attention from Barcelona and Chelsea this summer, with the latter recently submitting an offer worth €55 million.

However, Sevilla have been swift to reject the proposal. They are holding out for a fee of €65 million and are not willing to lower their price tag, despite the fact that the club are in desperate need of a financial injection.

The Nervionenses are concerned by the fact that the departure of Kounde is taking an eternity. But they are hopeful of closing things out in the coming weeks so that they can continue with their squad planning.

Aside from Chelsea, Barcelona have been closely linked with a move for Kounde. The club’s president Joan Laporta has even hinted at his desire to sign a new defender, after completing deals to sign Raphinha, Ousmane Dembele and Robert Lewandowski this past week.

Kounde is by far the top target for Barça, with Xavi identifying him as the ideal man to replace Gerard Pique in the long run. The player himself is reportedly keen on moving to Camp Nou.

However, the report suggests Barcelona are yet to propose an offer for the Frenchman. Sevilla are expecting the Catalans to spark a bidding war with Chelsea and thus propose a higher bid than the €55 million offered by the Blues.

Sevilla are not interested in settling for a player plus cash deal either, which refutes reports from the Spanish press, earlier in the month.

Barcelona are certainly apprehensive about meeting Kounde’s €65 million valuation, whereas Chelsea are expected to come up with a better offer in the coming days. It could potentially put Barça’s chances of signing the young defender under great jeopardy, as we move closer to the start of the season.