Sevilla has given an update on the status of Jules Kounde, a transfer target for Barcelona and Chelsea.
The two European giants are both desperate for defensive reinforcements this summer.
But progress in the transfer market has been slow.
Chelsea has yet to register a single signing, while Barcelona only sealed the arrival of Franck Kessie on a free transfer on 4 July.
Meanwhile, Blues defender Andreas Christensen will be joining the Camp Nou side immediately.
With pre-season at Barca having started on Monday.
Both clubs, meanwhile, reports are linking him with Kounde for many months.
Indeed, Barca’s interest has ramped up in recent times.
With reports that they are willing to offer attacker Memphis Depay as a bargaining chip in return for the France international centre-back, who is also capable of playing on the right of defence.
Monchi, Sevilla’s sporting director, has addressed these rumours.
He said:
“There are zero contacts with Barcelona for Jules Kounde. No talks are ongoing.
“I understand why Xavi would be interested as Ronald Araujo.
“And Kounde together would be a great pairing, but there’s nothing.”
“Marcao? He’s one of many options on my shortlist,” he said of the Galatasaray centre-back, effectively admitting that the door is open for the France defender to leave.
Sevilla pushed last season to secure the total value of Kounde’s release clause, and his valuation is €80m.
However, they would settle for a lesser valuation this summer.
Previous reports suggested that €60m plus €10m in bonuses might be enough to do a deal.
But this is above Chelsea’s valuation, and Barcelona is coming out of a period of financial difficulty.
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