Chelsea Reactivate Interest in Top French Defender Jules Kounde, Ready to Hijack Barca Deal

• Chelsea are closing in on the acquisition of Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who has been on the transfer wishlist of Barcelona throughout this summer
• The Blues have already signed Manchester City star Raheem Sterling and Napoli centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly in the ongoing summer transfer
• The Stamford Bridge outfit will be chomping at the bit to repay Barcelona in their own coin after they lost out on Raphinha

Premier League giants Chelsea have reactivated their interest in securing the services of France international Jules Kounde.

The French defender has been a top summer target for FC Barcelona with the La Liga giants keen on augmenting their defence with a couple of new faces.

But according to Fabrizio Romano, the Blues could steal a march on Barcelona following Manchester City's reluctance to part with Nathan Ake.

The Blues have stepped up their transfer dealings in a couple of weeks - acquiring the football services of English forward Raheem Sterling and 2021 AFCON-winning captain Kalidou Koulibaly.

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Kounde, who has been on Chelsea's transfer wishlist since last summer, is a primary defensive target for Barca coach Xavi Hernandez, who sees Kounde as the perfect replacement for Gerard Pique, who has been plagued with injuries in the twilight of his career.

Chelsea will be looking at forcing Barcelona's own pill down their throat on the back of losing out on Brazilian forward Raphinha to the Catalans despite meeting the asking price of Leeds.

Aside from Kounde, Chelsea are in the market for the services of Paris Saint-Germain central defender Presnel Kimpembe as the Blues reinforce their defensive department following the exits of Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger.

Barcelona include Memphis Depay in deal to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Spanish giants Barcelona are willing to include Memphis Depay in a deal to sign French defender Jules Kounde from Sevilla.

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The La Liga powerhouse are keen to add some new reinforcements at the back ahead of the start of the 2022/23 season.

Kounde has been one of Xavi’s top targets this summer as the Barcelona manager considers the French defender as a long-term replacement for Gerard Pique, who has been struggling with injuries in recent seasons.