Kounde headed to Barça from Sevilla
Barcelona, Jul 28 (EFE).- French defender Jules Kounde is set to join FC Barcelona from Sevilla pending completion of a medical check, the Catalan club said Thursday.
“FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jules Olivier Kounde, awaiting the player passing a medical and the signing of contracts,” the Blaugrana said.
Though none of the parties disclosed any figures, Barça are expected to pay a transfer fee of 50 million euros with potential for 10 million euros in bonuses tied to the player’s performance.
Assuming those numbers are correct, the acquisition will bring Barcelona’s total spending during the summer to 158 million euros, well ahead of Bayern Munich (137.5 million euros) and Arsenal (132 million euros), according to website Transfermarkt.
The Catalan club has already signed Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie on free transfers from Chelsea and AC Milan, respectively, reached agreement on a new contract with Ousmane Dembele and picked up Raphinha from Leeds United for a reported 75 million euros.
With a potential maximum price tag of around 50 million euros, the pact that brought two-time European golden boot Robert Lewandowski to Barça from Bayern looks like a relative bargain.
The 23-year-old Kounde was also sought by Chelsea, but he made it clear that his preference was for Barcelona.
The Blaugrana continue to entertain hopes of signing Chelsea veterans Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso before the summer transfer window closes. EFE
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