Barcelona 'open to cashing in on Jules Kounde'

In the summer of 2022, the Catalan giants made a sustained attempt to secure the services of the France international from Sevilla.

A fee in the region of €55m was allegedly agreed and the acquisition paid off as Barcelona proceeded to win the 2022-23 La Liga title.

Kounde featured on 29 occasions in Spain's top flight, and a further 18 league outings have come during the present season.

However, while Kounde has made 25 starts in all competitions this campaign, he has failed to overly impress in the middle of the defence or at right-back.

Over the past two weeks, Kounde has completed the 90 minutes on five occasions, yet he has been part of teams that have conceded at least four goals against Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal.

According to Sport, club officials have become increasingly concerned about his lack of impact in defence.

The report adds that Barcelona would be willing to give the green light to a sale should they receive an offer that meets their valuation.

Although no specific asking price has been mentioned, Barcelona would expect to receive close to what they shelled out for the versatile 25-year-old just 18 months ago.

Chelsea are long-term admirers of Kounde, the Blues having been beaten to his signature when the player opted to move to Catalonia rather than West London.

Whether a second effort to sign Kounde is realistic remains to be seen, Chelsea not in a position where they can spend at least £40m on a new defender when they are already well stocked in that area.

Manchester United have also been credited with an interest, yet the Red Devils can also not spend big until the summer at the earliest.

With a lower wage cap in 2024-25 than the present season, Barcelona - who are without a manager for the campaign as it stands due to the planned resignation of Xavi - are under pressure to make substantial cutbacks where possible.