Sevilla want at least €60m for Jules Kounde's services this summer, according to Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo.
In fact, the Frenchman is tied with the Andalusians on a contract until 2024 with a release clause set at €75m.
The 22-year-old's world-class performances in the 2020/21 La Liga season have earned him interest from Barcelona but the Catalans would certainly struggle to meet Sevilla's asking price due to the club's dire financial situation.
Barca, on the other hand, could try to include their players in a swap deal involving the France international.
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Barca keeping tabs on Jules Kounde, centre-back open to Sevilla exit (reliability: 4 stars)
Barcelona are keeping close tabs on Jules Kounde's situation at Sevilla with a view to land the centre-back this summer, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Last week, the Frenchman claimed that he's ready to quit the Andalusians in the following months.
“Regarding my future, it’s certain that I will perhaps have to change clubs this summer. But nothing has been finalised yet. I have not decided anything,” Kounde said.
‘My goal is to play for a big club, to try to always progress and to win trophies. It’s true that I might have to move but that’s not relevant today.”
The 22-year-old is now valued at €60m by Transfermarkt while his release clause stands at €75m and thus the Catalans would struggle to meet Sevilla's asking price due to the club's dire financial situation.
The Blaugrana, however, are willing to include some of their players in a swap deal involving Kounde, as per the source.
De Ligt included as Barca shortlist 6 players to reinforce centre-back spot (reliability: 3 stars)
Barcelona will look to sign a centre-back in addition to Eric Garcia this summer, Mundo Deportivo report, and the Catalans have already shortlisted six players they would be interested in.
The six players are Lisandro Martinez (Ajax), Alessio Romagnoli (AC Milan), Matthijs de Ligt (Juventus), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Caglar Soyuncu (Leicester City) and Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan).
Lisandro and Romagnoli are labelled as 'low-cost' options. The Argentine is rated at €25m while the Italian could be available on the cheap since his contract is set to expire in 2022.
As for De Ligt and Laporte, Barca could pull off their transfer by offering a player in exchange. As per previous reports, Blaugrana would be ready to offer Sergi Roberto and Miralem Pjanic to City and Juve respectively.
Finally, it's said that De Vrij could be available for transfer this summer since Inter have to balance their books and will need to sell a few players.
