Arsenal eyeing statement £65m signing of Barcelona star
Kounde, who can play as either a right-back or centre-half, has made 137 appearances for Barca since then and helped the club win one league title and two Spanish Super Cups.
There could be yet more success for the Frenchman and Barca in the coming months as they sit top of LaLiga with a four-point lead on rivals Real Madrid. Hansi Flick’s side are also expected to advance into the Champions League semis after beating Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final clash, while they will play Madrid in the Spanish Cup final later this month.
Despite Barca’s success on the pitch, Fichajes suggest that Kounde could be sold in the summer to help improve the club’s difficult financial situation.
Barca feel they can sell the versatile star for big money as he is a target for both Arsenal and Chelsea.
The Blues are big admirers of Kounde and have continued to keep tabs on him ever since missing out on his capture three years ago, while Arsenal are now ready to enter the transfer battle.
The report claims new Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is ready to bid a huge €75million (£65m / $85m) to ensure Kounde rejects Chelsea a second time and moves to the Emirates.
TEAMtalk can confirm reports from elsewhere that Arsenal are preparing for a blockbuster summer, with big spending on the cards. If Fichajes are to be believed, then Kounde is among their defensive targets.
Mikel Arteta supposedly views the 26-year-old as a ‘great addition’ to his squad. Kounde could challenge Ben White and Jurrien Timber for a starting spot at right-back while also providing backup for central defenders William Saliba and Gabriel.
Barca originally spent €55m on Kounde. As such, an Arsenal bid worth €75m is highly likely to be accepted, should this claim prove to be true.
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