Barcelona’s top defensive target has a verbal agreement with Chelsea – report

As per a report by the reliable Toni Juanmarti, Barcelona target Jules Kounde has a verbal agreement with Chelsea, which is a subject of concern for the Catalans.

However, as of today, Sevilla have not received any formal offer for Kounde, from either Barcelona or Chelsea. Their price tag sits still at around €65 million, with little wiggle room, despite the Blaugranas’ attempt to negotiate with them using swap deals or variables.

Sevilla have already sold Diego Carlos to Aston Villa for a sum of upwards of €30 million, and will be left without a starting centre-back should Kounde leave as well.

That said, they are in a dire financial condition, and need to raise more money through player sales. However, those at Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan are not willing to accept the quoted transfer fees through deferred payments or instalments.

Barcelona’s links to Kounde had gone cold for a few months before making the air again after the controversy surrounding Gerard Pique. The Spaniard, according to rumours, has been told by Xavi that he is not a part of his starting lineup for next season.

His dream lineup includes Kounde taking duties of the fort alongside Ronald Araujo in central defence, with Pique and Eric Garcia as the deputies. Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti are likely to be sold.

Barcelona will have to enter talks with Kounde and reach an agreement with him on personal terms before Chelsea can make any sort of move, though.

He is one of their top three targets for the summer, alongside Robert Lewandowski and Bernardo Silva, and it goes without saying, but this is bound to be a long-drawn transfer window for Barcelona.