Barcelona will have to fork out €50-60m to sign Kounde alternative from La Liga club

Jules Kounde had been Barcelona’s primary transfer target to reinforce their defence this summer. However, as things stand, the Frenchman seems to be slipping out of the Catalans’ hands, with a move to Chelsea on the horizon.

While a deal is yet to be completed, reports state that Chelsea have an agreement with Sevilla for the transfer, whereas Barça are yet to make an official offer.

Even though the Blaugrana have asked the defender to stay patient and wait for their move, it seems like Mateu Alemany & co. are already preparing contingencies in the background.

And one such alternative for Kounde that Barcelona are looking at is Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay for the Yellow Submarine over the past three seasons and was an integral part of the side that went as far as the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season, while he is also a regular for the Spanish national team.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Torres is a player that Barcelona have been monitoring since his teen years but have been unable to lure him to Camp Nou.

The Catalans are believed to have tried signing him in 2018 again when Robert Fernandez was the technical secretary. A €25 million deal was in the works until Eric Abidal replaced Fernandez in the role, which led to the move halting.

Now, though, Torres is back on Barcelona’s agenda as they look to make up for potentially missing out on top target Kounde. The 25-year-old could be open to a move away from Villarreal as he has Champions League aspirations.

But, as per the report, the La Liga side will demand a sum of €50-60 million from any suitors for the Spanish international, considering his age, proven pedigree at the club and international levels, and the fact that he still has two years left on his contract.

Whether Barça can muster up such a bid for the Spaniard, after having failed to offer a similar amount for Kounde remains a big question mark.