Chelsea ‘keeping close eye’ on Barcelona star after joining Liverpool in transfer race | Football

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Jules Kounde and are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the defender ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.

Kounde has established himself as a regular in Hansi Flick’s starting XI and Barcelona’s hierarchy have no active plans to bring in an upgrade at right-back for next season.

And while Kounde’s level of consistency has dropped off a little from last term, when he scored the decisive goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, he still has plenty of admirers in Catalonia.

There had been some positive signs of Kounde returning to his best over the winter, only for the full-back to go down with a muscle injury a month ago, meaning he has missed Barca’s last five matches in all competitions.

The France international was recently linked with Liverpool, who are in the market for a more defensive-minded right-back after capturing Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Kounde has since appeared on the radar of several other top European clubs – and Barca could consider the player’s departure should they receive a suitable offer.

The Spanish champions are well aware that Kounde has a number of potential suitors keeping tabs on the situation, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all said to be circling.

City are known to be long-term admirers of Kounde, while concrete interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea in a newer development. It’s claimed all three Premier League giants are ‘keeping a close eye’ on the versatile defender.

Kounde’s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through to June 2030.

After Kounde put pen to paper on a contract extension last August, Barca’s sporting director Deco confirmed that Manchester City had made an approach for the 27-year-old.

‘There wasn’t an offer as such, but City called to ask if he was available,’ Deco explained at the time.

‘Since we told them no, there was no offer.’

While Barca ideally wish to keep Kounde ‘to avoid a potential problem’, the possibility of a sale cannot be completely ruled out, especially if the player is no longer satisfied with the salary increase he received last summer and agitates for a move.

Eric Garcia, Xavi Espart and Ronald Araujo are all capable of providing cover at right-back. Barca are also exploring a deal with Al Hilal to extend a loan for Joao Cancelo, who can operate on both flanks.

The report adds that Barca would ‘find it difficult’ to walk away from a deal for Kounde should they receive a bid in the region of €80million for the former Sevilla and Bordeaux man.

The La Liga leaders are determined to bring in an elite level striker this summer and a big-money agreement for Kounde would raise some much-needed funds for a player such as Julian Alvarez, who has emerged as their primary target up front.

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