Three-time La Liga winner wants to join Chelsea four years after BlueCo almost signed him
It’s the summer of 2022, and BlueCo are looking to make a big splash in the transfer market after their £2.35bn takeover of Chelsea. They enter a transfer battle with Barcelona for a French star.
At one point, it was claimed Chelsea were leading the race to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla. A fee of £50m was required to land the Frenchman, but Barcelona got to his signature first, and he’s stayed since.
Kounde had just reached the World Cup final with France in 2022 before completing a move to the Nou Camp. Since, the tough-tackling ace has established himself as one of the best right-sided defenders.
Jules Kounde wants to join Chelsea after coming close in 2022
But Kounde has now spent more than four years with Barcelona, clocking up 193 appearances in both league and cup for the Spanish giants. It’s time for a change and Kounde wants to move to England.
You can have TWO Man City players, who are you picking and why? 👀
Imagine if Man City actually get relegated 😳
A three-time La Liga winner, Kounde could finally do what he almost did in 2022 and join Chelsea. According to TeamTalk, the Blues are interested in signing Kounde, and the player is keen on the move.
However, Chelsea are not alone in wanting the three-time La Liga winner: “Liverpool and Man City have been in contact, while Arsenal and Man United have been sounded out. Bayern Munich are also looking.
Why Jules Kounde picked Barcelona over Chelsea four years ago
It is unclear how much Barcelona would want for Kounde. But he has fallen down the pecking order under Hansi Flick and could be allowed to leave, despite having a contract at Barcelona for the next four years.
When signed, he joined a side being managed by now-Netherlands boss Xavi. He explained that it was the Spaniard who convinced him: “The coach Xavi is one of the great reasons why I’m here.
“I’ve spoken to him several times, the way he spoke was captivating. We had some good conversations; we see football in the same way,” Kounde said, after completing a deal to join Barcelona back in 2022.
If he loved working with one Spanish midfield genius, a move to Chelsea would see Kounde get to double that to two. But Chelsea need to be wary, overspending on Kounde will be easy given his big wages.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
