Jules Kounde salary the main stopping point for Barça move

There’s no doubt Jules Kounde is the defender Xavi wants most for next season. The Barcelona coach considers his signing strategic and is pressing the club to do the deal, and speaking to the player directly.

Barcelona have no doubt that it’s a good idea but the board see the deal as hard to complete for the transfer fee and especially the salary that the player wants. If he does not lower his demands it’s hard to imagine him wearing Blaugrana.

Barcelona are conscious that the transfer fee could be reached, even if it’s around 60m euros. Sevilla will not bite for less. There are few players Sevilla could trade for, as they can’t afford the salaries Barcelona are playing, with Martin Braithwaite perhaps the only option.

The main issue is Chelsea. The Blues have offered Kounde a huge deal that Barcelona can’t get close to, even if they made the French defender the best paid player at the club along with Lewandowski, captains aside. 

Paying that much to a 24 year old would create a big issue at the club and break the new salary scale. They will not do that, no matter how well the player fits into Xavi’s plans. If they can convince him to come for almost half of what Chelsea are offering, then maybe there’s a chance.