The reasons Barcelona won't be able to compete for Jules Kounde

The reasons Barcelona won't be able to compete for Jules Kounde

Kounde / | sport

A player exchange was a possibility last summer, but now Sevilla need cash

Jules Kounde is a centre-back of interest to Barcelona. They tried to negotiate to sign him last summer, but Sevilla did not want to sell, so what Barça offered a year ago is no longer relevant.

Last year, Barça explored a swap deal, putting Dest, Mingueza and Trincao on the table. Monchi, Sevilla's sporting director, did not want to let Kounde go.

Sevilla did not need to sell and told Chelsea, who were also keen on him, that they would have to pay his 90 million euro release clause if they wanted him.

Barça were told to add 25 million euros to the three players they offered. Neither Chelsea nor Barcelona reached an agreement and the Frenchman remained at Sevilla for the season.

But the situation has changed this summer. And what he could have been worth one year ago is not the same. Sevilla have a hole in their budget of around 40 million euros, due to their early KO from the Champions League.

They had budgeted to reach the quarterfinals. In addition, they were knocked out of the Europa League in the last 16, which did not help.

Therefore, Sevilla, who in January turned down an offer from Newcastle for their other centre-back, Diego Carlos, need to sell at least one big player.

But they need money, not an exchange. It's true Monchi has considered bringing Clement Lenglet back, while Dest was also considered mid-season when Jesus Navas was injured.

For that reason, a move to Barça is unlikely for Kounde. Especially considering teams like Chelsea will be back in the mix with more money, if their sale goes through.

Barça have already signed Andreas Christensen, who will arrive from Chelsea on a free transfer, and have Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo and Eric Garcia on the books as well.

They will try and move on Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet, but their priorities are elsewhere before spending money on Kounde. 

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