MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 12:45:41| >> :60:243:243:

Barcelona 'prepared to sell Jules Kounde for €40m'

Barcelona 'prepared to sell Jules Kounde for €40m'
© Reuters
Barcelona are reportedly prepared to cash in on defender Jules Kounde during one of the upcoming transfer windows.

Barcelona are reportedly open to parting ways with defender Jules Kounde in 2024.

In July 2022, the Catalan giants won a hotly-contested race to secure a deal for the France international, who cost in the region of €50m.

At the time, club officials defied their financial issues to get what they felt was a crucial transfer over the line, and that proved to be true as Barcelona reclaimed the La Liga title.

However, with Barcelona having a reduced salary cap for next season, they face the prospect of making substantial cutbacks in January and next summer.

At the same time, there is interest in a number of their players with a report indicating that Bayern Munich are tracking Ronald Araujo.

Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo on November 28, 2023© Reuters

The Uruguay international still has just over two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, but Barcelona allegedly want to do everything possible to ensure that they retain his services in the long term.

Marcos Alonso is also due to depart Camp Nou in the summer, but minimal space will be freed up on the wage bill at a time when Xavi is likely to want the club to try to sign Manchester City's Joao Cancelo on a permanent basis.

According to Fichajes, a situation could materialise where Barcelona are happy to cash in on Kounde in one of the next two transfer windows.

An offer of €40m (£34.5m) would allegedly be enough to convince Barcelona to sell the defender, who can play at right-back and centre-back.

Barcelona's Jules Kounde celebrates scoring against Espanyol on May 14, 2023© Reuters

Barcelona seemingly feel that the 25-year-old's level of performance has dropped, even though he has still made 15 starts and one substitute outing this season.

The report indicates that Arsenal may take notice of any developments regarding Kounde when Mikel Arteta would like to strengthen his defensive options.

Acquiring Kounde during the winter window may be unrealistic courtesy of Arsenal's need to stay within FFP regulations, yet the Gunners could look to move players out.

Other former suitors, such as Chelsea, may return for Kounde, although his lack of height for a defender may see Chelsea look elsewhere when Mauricio Pochettino is said to be eager for more players who possess a physical presence.

ID:531255:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4690:

Click here for more stories about Jules Kounde

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski on September 23, 2023
Read Next:
Barcelona missing some key players for Royal Antwerp clash
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!