Chelsea ready to splurge on €80 million-rated Barcelona star after missing out last summer

On the back of reports emerging that Jules Kounde was open to leaving Barcelona this summer after having become unhappy with being used as a right-back, SPORT now claims that Premier League giants Chelsea would be willing to go for him in the summer.

It was Toni Juanmarti who first broke the news that Kounde had told Barça that he does not wish to continue playing at right-back and would be open to offers this summer, even though he did not explicitly ask to be sold.

Soon after, it emerged that Barça value the 24-year-old at around €80 million, after having signed him for a fee in the region of €50 million.

Chelsea were one of the clubs who were very interested in signing Kounde last summer. The Blues battled hard with Barcelona for the Frenchman’s signing. Ultimately, though, Xavi’s words with the defender swayed his decision in favour of the Catalans.

Kounde was reportedly promised that he would be used as a centre-back, but he has had to do the job at right-back for a majority of the campaign due to the Blaugrana’s lack of a more reliable option.

With Inigo Martinez also arriving in the summer, Kounde’s game-time at centre-back might not improve next term either. But, the former Sevilla ace wants to return to his natural position.

The Frenchman is understood to have informed the club of the same. And the newly-crowned La Liga champions are carefully assessing all their options at the moment.

Amidst these developments, Chelsea are understood to be open to splurging on Kounde’s signing. The report suggests that the Blues would be willing to offer more money than what Barcelona had spent on his transfer last summer.

It could certainly be a profitable operation for Barça in terms of their income situation, but it remains to be seen whether the club are prepared to listen to offers for him or decide to sign a right-back and move him to centre-back permanently next term.

Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.