FC Barcelona find a strategy to close the signing of Jules Koundé from Sevilla

Barça are now feeling convinced that they will be able to sign Jules Koundé. The Spanish club has been in the process of maturing the operation and is already in readiness to make the final offensive for the French centre-back, whereas Sevilla are pressing from their end because they need the money from it to be able close their signings. The events next week will be key, and Sevilla have already made it clear that they could lower the final price if certain players, especially Abde or Nico, come in.

It remains a high possibility that the winger will leave this season. Negotiations have been progressing at a fast pace because Barça have prioritized it in recent weeks. Koundé is still recovering from his pubis operation and his incorporation could be delayed, but the club believes that the time has come given the new interest for the player from other clubs, chiefly from Chelsea. Despite everything, the Spanish club is not alarmed because the English have not made any offers yet, as they still have other priorities, and Koundé himself prioritizes signing for Barça. With the picture now clear, both Sevilla and Barça have spoken to the player's agent, Jorge Mendes, who is mediating in the operation to place Koundé in the market.

The Portuguese has sought solutions to Barça's refusal to reach the 60-65 million euros demanded by Sevilla. FC Barcelona first offered their discarded players to their counterparts in the deal, but none of them fit in the plans of Sevilla. Memphis was one of the names thrown in but his cost is too high for Sevilla and the player is not interested himself. As such, Mendes has explored the option of including Abde or Nico, two players who are in his orbit and that attract Sevilla, especially the winger as long as he stays in the Andalusian club. This has opened a channel of negotiation that will continue next week to reach an agreement to close the signing.

Abde was going to have a first-team number at Barça, but the recent signings that the club have made will leave him without a place in the team, and Barça have many fruitful offers to sell him. Sevilla's option would help to lower the price for Koundé because Barça are likely to offer 40-45 million for the centre-back. There is still a lot left to negotiate, but clearly, the signing is getting closer.