Chelsea prepares fierce bid to secure Jules Kounde: Liverpool defender in sights for £65-70 million!
The transfer market promises to be heated this summer, and Chelsea is set to launch an aggressive offensive to secure one of the most sought-after targets in the Premier League: Jules Kounde. The French defender, currently at Barcelona, is at the center of attention, with the Blues willing to compete with Liverpool and Manchester City for his signature.
It is worth recalling that in 2021, Chelsea came close to signing Kounde while he was playing at Sevilla, but the destination ended up being Barcelona. Now, with rumors gaining momentum, it seems that the London club sees a golden opportunity to strengthen its defense with an experienced and proven player.
Sources close to the process reveal that, although Chelsea’s owners are focused on investing in young talents, there is an openness to adding experience to the squad already in this transfer window. In addition to Koundé, names such as [Harry Maguire](https://apitofinal.pt/internacional/manchester-united-acelera-negociacoes-por-kobbie-mainoo-e-harry-maguire/) have also been mentioned as options to strengthen the defense. An insider confided: “Chelsea maintains its transfer policy but is willing to bring in more experience if the right opportunity arises. Koundé has been on the agenda for a long time. They know he could leave Barcelona this summer and are preparing an aggressive approach to convince him to move to Stamford Bridge.”
However, the operation will not be simple or cheap. Koundé, 27, is not eager to leave Barcelona, and the price demanded by the Catalan club is around £65 to £70 million – a high figure that could be vital for helping Barcelona’s finances. On the other hand, Chelsea and other interested parties will need to try to negotiate a lower fee or look for alternatives if the deal becomes too costly.
In addition to the transfer cost, there is also the weight of the player’s salary, estimated at around €18 million per year, which adds complexity to the negotiation. Koundé is no longer a young talent with significant potential for future appreciation, which also influences the scenario.
This saga is far from reaching a conclusion, but what is certain is that Chelsea is determined to be a key player in the fight for the Frenchman, who could bring the experience and defensive solidity that the club has missed since Thiago Silva’s departure.
Stay tuned, as this summer promises to be hot in terms of reinforcements and movements in the central defender market. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City are in the race, and Jules Kounde could be the name that will shake up the Premier League in 2026!
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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