Arsenal are planning to reinforce their backline for the 2024/25 season and as per a report in Spanish outlet SPORT, the Premier League side wishes to sign 25-year-old Jules Kounde.
Barcelona had signed Jules Kounde from right under Chelsea’s clutches in 2022 and in these two years, he’s played close to 100 games for the Catalans. Now, with a new manager coming in, there are going to be some changes to the starting lineup next season which will see a couple of players leaving before deadline day.
Barca had paid around €50 million but with three years still remaining on his contract, the club wants to recoup most of the money they spent on him which is why rumours are suggesting that Deco and co have set a price tag of around €60 million for the French international.
Do Arsenal need a player like Jules Kounde?
Arsenal currently have William Saliba, Ben White, Gabriel and Jurrien Timber all of whom play as a central defender so on paper, there’s no need to sign Jules Kounde.
However, apart from playing at centre back Kounde can also as a right-back and that versatility can make him an absolute asset for Mikel Arteta. This past season he played in 48 games for Barcelona, out of which 27 were on the right-hand side of defence.
In 2899 minutes of league football, Jules Kounde made 25 interceptions along with 9 blocks and 157 recovery runs. On the attacking side, the Frenchman created 25 chances along with a passing accuracy of 90%.
Right now, it does not make sense to spend €60 million on a defender given that Arsenal already have a bunch of them but it never harms to add reinforcements, especially with players like William Saliba always being linked with an exit.
Will Barca agree to sell the 25y/o to Arsenal?
Barcelona signed Jules Kounde just two years ago but they are amidst a major financial crisis so if Arsenal are willing to put €60 million on the table then it will be very hard for the Catalans to refuse a sale.
Hansi Flick wants to reinforce the left wing and the advanced midfield position in the coming weeks and for that, he will need funds. Barca wish to sign players like Nico Williams and Bernardo Silva among others so €60-odd million from one player sale will be of massive help.
For the centre-back role, the new manager has players like Christensen, Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo whom he rely upon next season and per reports, the Catalans are very close to bringing back Joao Cancelo. If Man City agree to send Cancelo back to Camp Nou for one more loan spell, Flick won’t have any issues in selling Jules Kounde to Arsenal, obviously for the right transfer fee.
