Barcelona Beats Chelsea to The Signing of Kounde
Barcelona beats Chelsea to the signing of Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde as the defender seals his move to the Camp Nou. Barca announces this signing with a controversial video shading football club Chelsea.
However, Barcelona have become some sort of transfer bully, having beating Chelsea to the signing of Raphinha, Lewandowski and now Kounde. Kounde an important addition to the team joins the like of Araujo, Pique, Eric Garcia, new signing Christensen and others.
Xavi is looking to have lots of options at the defensive side of his team with the inclusion of Kounde who’s Versatile at both centre back and right back. Kounde spent the majority of his time at Sevilla playing centre-back, but he also carries experience at right-back.
Xavi will have several difficult decisions to make at the start of the campaign that will influence where Kounde plays. If the head coach trusts Sergino Dest to defend out wide, then Kounde could play in the middle next to Ronald Araujo and ahead of Christensen, Pique and Eric Garcia. Xavi has 23-year-old Kounde to further shape the future of his defence as club legends such as Gerard Pique and Jordi Alba are gradually coming to the end of their era at Barca.
Barcelona offered Kounde a 4-year deal
However it was said that Chelsea had agreed personal terms with Kounde and even a bid was made to Sevilla by Chelsea. Sevilla and Kounde chose to go with the deal offered by Barca.
Barca will pay Sevilla an initial fee of €50 million (£42m/$50m), plus up to €10m (£8.3m/$10.2m) in add-ons. Kounde will sign a four-year contract that will keep him at Camp Nou until at least 2026 upon the completion of his medical.
Furthermore Barca have been busy this window, signing Kounde, Raphinha, Christensen, Lewandowski and Franck Kessie. They also agreed a new contract with Dembele, who many had expected to depart after his old deal expired at the end of last season.
Although the Spanish side in a financial crisis will find it hard to register these players without the activation of a third lever or Frankie Dejong leaves or take a paycut. Barca’s president is looking to do everything possible to make this happen.
