Chelsea's desire to capture Jules Kounde this summer has apparently been given a major setback, with the centre-back telling Sevilla that he wants to join Barcelona.
Chelsea are really desperate to capture Kounde from Sevilla but the players desire to join Barcelona will make Chelsea loose the race.
Last summer, Kounde was on the verge of joining Chelsea after agreeing personal terms with the club, but Chelsea fell short of his €80 million release clause, and Sevilla refused to negotiate a cheaper deal.
The 23-year-old, however, is expected to leave this summer, according to Sevilla CEO Jose Maria Cruz, who claims the defender told him he wants to "play in a more competitive team.
Again, the player, I am sure, appreciates Sevilla FC," he remarked. He is content with us. It is not a question of money in the case of Kounde. It's only that he wants to play for a team that is more competitive than Sevilla FC.
I'm confident he's a player that would appeal to clubs like Chelsea, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and others. He wants to be a part of a team that is more competitive.
According to recent rumors, the La Liga club is now willing to consider offers below his release clause, but Chelsea's initial offer this summer was lower than their amended asking price.
Chelsea may now be displaced by Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), who claim Kounde has 'advised' Sevilla that he 'wants to play at the Camp Nou,' forcing the two La Liga clubs to 'find a formula for the move'.
According to the report, Barcelona manager Xavi has told the club's president, Joan Laporta, that he wants to bring in the France international this summer.
Newcastle are said to have entered the race and are 'ready to pay' the €80 million release clause, but Kounde appears to have made his mind up.
It's bad news for Chelsea, who had appeared to be unopposed in their pursuit of Kounde for some time.
Tuchel is frantically looking for a successor for both Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen at center-back, so they may be forced to go elsewhere.
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