Watch: Fabrizio Romano on the Kounde, Barcelona, Chelsea latest
In a brand-new film, Fabrizio Romano breaks down every aspect of the epic transfer battle between Barcelona and Chelsea over Sevilla center-back Jules Kounde.
The much sought-after French international has been a constant in the transfer rumors this summer, and if the rumor mill is to be believed, he will soon leave the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
Only a few days ago, it appeared as though Chelsea might beat Barcelona to one of their main targets, but a shocking turn of events over the weekend appears to have dashed their hopes of signing another center-back.
Chelsea pushed to complete the Kounde deal by sending documents to Sevilla late at night. Details following Wednesday's bid: £55 million contract, according to a tweet from transfer insider Romano on Friday.
Chelsea is still awaiting Sevilla's final consent in order to fend off further Barcelona bids today.
The circumstances seem to have changed; according to sources in the Spanish media, Barcelona has managed to raise the necessary finances to submit a bid for the Sevilla player, hijacking Chelsea's proposed agreement, just like they did with Raphinha.
Thomas Tuchel, the Chelsea manager, recently expressed his frustration with Barcelona and how they are acting in their attempt to entice club captain Cesar Azplicueta to the Camp Nou. Barcelona have been a thorn in the side of Thomas Tuchel's Blues all summer.
Tuchel remarked, "I'm not sure whether I want to give Azpi what he wants since we have a Spanish international player who is the captain for Chelsea and I see it on the same level but Barcelona does not see it on that level" (via Tom Roddy of The Times)
Jules Kounde, who plays for Sevilla, has a pre-contract agreement with FC Barcelona.
After Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha were welcomed to the Camp Nou last week and were both able to play major roles in Saturday's 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in Las Vegas, the French international is simply one of the two main transfer targets that remain for Barca head coach Xavi Hernandez.
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