{"id":5299,"date":"2026-04-01T21:14:24","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T21:14:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5299"},"modified":"2026-04-01T21:14:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T21:14:24","slug":"chelsea-keeping-close-eye-on-barcelona-star-after-joining-liverpool-in-transfer-race-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=5299","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea ‘keeping close eye’ on Barcelona star after joining Liverpool in transfer race | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chelsea are keeping tabs on Barcelona right-back Jules Kounde (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chelsea have stepped up their interest in Jules Kounde and are \u2018keeping a close eye\u2019 on the defender ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports in Spain.<\/p>\n

Kounde has established himself as a regular in Hansi Flick\u2019s starting XI and Barcelona\u2019s hierarchy have no active plans to bring in an upgrade at right-back for next season.<\/p>\n

And while Kounde\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s last five matches in all competitions.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

According to Mundo Deportivo, Kounde has since appeared on the radar of several other top European clubs \u2013 and Barca could consider the player\u2019s departure should they receive a suitable offer.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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Kounde is also being eyed by both Liverpool and Manchester City (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Frenchman is currently sidelined with a muscle injury (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

City are known to be long-term admirers of Kounde, while concrete interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea in a newer development. It\u2019s claimed all three Premier League giants are \u2018keeping a close eye\u2019 on the versatile defender. <\/p>\n

Kounde\u2019s current deal at the Camp Nou runs through to June 2030.<\/p>\n

After Kounde put pen to paper on a contract extension last August, Barca\u2019s sporting director Deco confirmed that Manchester City had made an approach for the 27-year-old.<\/p>\n

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Kounde (left) won his second La Liga title with Barca last season (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A deal of Kounde would raise funds for Barca\u2019s top target Alvarez (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018There wasn\u2019t an offer as such, but\u00a0City\u00a0called to ask if he was available,\u2019 Deco explained at the time. <\/p>\n

\u2018Since we told them no, there was no offer.\u2019<\/p>\n

While Barca ideally wish to keep Kounde \u2018to avoid a potential problem\u2019, 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

The report adds that Barca would \u2018find it difficult\u2019 to walk away from a deal for Kounde should they receive a bid in the region of \u20ac80million\u00a0for the former Sevilla and Bordeaux man.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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