Jules Kounde signs with Barcelona after snubbing Chelsea

One of this transfer window’s longest sagas is finally coming to a close with Sevilla defender Jules Kounde set to join Barcelona for a fee of around €50 million. Last week, it looked like a certainty that Kounde would join Chelsea in the Premier League, but a call from Barca’s head coach, Xavi, made him reconsider. Now, Kounde will be staying in La Liga and joining the Catalan giants.

Kounde is a 23-year-old French defender who can play in various positions along the back line. He was a hot commodity due to his potential and versatility and it is expected he will make a big impact with Barca. Kounde possesses the sort of ball skills and dribbling ability that should make him a stalwart in Barcelona’s system. Considering his age, he could be there for a long time.

READ: Robert Lewandowski joins Barcelona from Bayern Munich

Kounde had been at Sevilla for three years and was a very impactful player. He played in just about every game and was a part of Sevilla’s Europa League victory two years ago. He is an ascending talent and someone who the Barcelona brass will be very excited to land.

Barcelona have ransacked Chelsea’s transfer targets this window. Beyond Kounde, Barca also landed Raphinha from Leeds United after Chelsea looked like they were going to sign him. The Blues also lost German defender Antonio Rudiger to Barcelona on a free transfer, and it is rumored Cesar Azpilicueta wants to swap Stamford Bridge for Camp Nou. Kounde was supposed to replace those Chelsea defenders, so him switching course adds insult to injury.

While Kounde is a valuable asset, he does not drastically change Barcelona’s outlook this season. This was a good signing, but Barcelona still have a lot of work to do before competing with the elite clubs of Europe. They are rebuilding and making smart moves, but it should be a couple more seasons before they start looking like the Barca of old.

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