Spanish giants Barcelona are ready to propose a player exchange deal to Sevilla for defender Jules Kounde, according to reports.
French international Kounde, of course, has been hotly tipped to make the move to the Camp Nou ahead of next season.
Amid the ongoing efforts of those in a position of power in Catalunya to sufficiently reinforce Xavi Hernandez’s squad, the 23-year-old has been identified as a prime target.
This comes despite Kounde having been widely expected to make the move to England with Chelsea this summer, on the back of a year-long pursuit on the part of the Blues.
With Thomas Tuchel and co. having turned their attentions towards Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt and Nathan Ake of Manchester City, the Kounde track now appears clear for Barca to strike.
Jules Kounde celebrates during the Spanish Copa del Rey semifinal first-leg match between Sevilla FC and FC Barcelona at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán in Sevilla, Spain (Photo by Jose Luis Contreras/DAX Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
And, on Sunday, an insight into the plans of the Blaugrana to do exactly that has been provided online.
The info comes courtesy of La portera de Nunez in Spain, who point towards the powers that be at the Camp Nou mulling over the formula of a potential opening offer for Kounde.
With the club’s financial issues having long been public knowledge, Barcelona are understandably keen to avoid paying over the odds for the Frenchman.
In turn, it is suggested that a player exchange proposal is being taken into consideration.
As reported elsewhere this summer, the Catalans are prepared to offer up Sergino Dest to Sevilla, as part of a cash-plus-player bid to land Kounde.
Not only that, though, it is now alleged that Barca could offer up multiple other out-of-favour members of the club’s squad, too, keen to kill two birds with one stone ahead of next season.
Tal y como les expliqué, hay muchas posibilidades de que el fichaje de Koundé tenga una parte de intercambio. Hablamos de Dest, pero podría no ser el único implicado, por lo que decían los señoritos…
— La portera de Núñez (@porteranunez) July 3, 2022
Xavi informs 4 Barcelona players they need not show up for pre-season training
Fresh update provided on Gavi’s Barcelona contract talks
