Barcelona may disrupt Chelsea's transfer strategies in addition to the Azpilicueta and Christensen negotiations
BARCELONA may interfere with Chelsea's summer transfer plans, having already lined up two of their defenders.
Antonio Rudiger acknowledges that he could have stayed at Chelsea.
Chelsea will have to compete with Barcelona for the signing of Jules Kounde this summer, according to reports in Spain. The Sevilla star is Thomas Tuchel's top target this summer as the Blues look to replace Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, both of whom are leaving.
Barcelona have already agreed to sign Christensen on a free transfer after the Danish international rejected new terms to stay at Stamford Bridge, and they could also sign captain Cesar Azpilicueta. And it appears that the Catalan giants will derail Chelsea's summer plans once more, with Xavi Hernandez keen on bringing Kounde to Camp Nou.
The La Liga club is looking to bolster their backline, with the 23-year-old listed as a target alongside Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly. The French defender is still looking for a new challenge this summer, with Chelsea expected to make a second bid for him after failing to sign him last summer.
Xavi was a fan of Kounde before taking over the club, according to Mundo Deportivo.
He also has a good relationship with Fernando Navarro, the assistant sporting director to transfer guru Monchi, and a move 'cannot be ruled out,' according to the report.
However, the club's precarious financial situation may prevent it from matching Chelsea, and it may be necessary to sell before buying. Clement Lenglet and Samuel Umtiti could leave this summer, freeing up funds for the Blaugrana to make their move.
This summer, Kounde is expected to be available for around £50 million, which would normally put him within Chelsea's price range. However, due to Todd Boehly's £4.25 billion takeover, the Blues are currently unable to make signings ahead of the transfer window.
The club's sanctions prevented Chelsea from making a better offer to Rudiger and Christensen, whose contracts expire this summer. Both have chosen to join Real Madrid and Barcelona in Spain, with Azpilicueta considering a move, leaving Tuchel short on defensive options.
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