Arsenal Football Club is reportedly interested in acquiring Jules Koundé, a center-back for Barcelona.
The reports come from Spain, where Jijantes, as relayed by El Desmarque, claims that the Gunners are interested in the player.
Arsenal has already established contact with Barcelona to determine the club’s and player’s position on a potential transfer .
However, it is unclear if the talks have progressed or if Arsenal will submit a formal bid soon.
Recent reports from Sport, as stated by El Desmarque, suggest that Barcelona is open to bids for Koundé during this transfer window.
It is uncertain how much Barcelona would demand to part with the defender this summer, despite the fact that Koundé is contracted to the team through 2027 and is now estimated to be worth €45 million by Transfermarkt.
Arsenal might be able to persuade them with a substantial offer, given Barcelona’s need to sell players to finance new recruits.
Koundé, 25, joined Barcelona two years ago in a £41.8 million deal from Sevilla and has just finished his second season with the team .
Although he is capable of playing both center-back and right-back, he mostly played on the right side of Barca’s defense last season and has maintained that position for France’s three group games at Euro 2024.
Arsenal’s interest in Koundé may be a sign that the club is looking to strengthen its defense, which has been a priority for manager Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners have been linked to several other defenders in recent weeks, including Joan Garcia and Viktor Gyokeres.
It is important to note that Koundé has a €1 billion release clause as part of his contract with Barcelona, so Arsenal would need to negotiate a transfer fee with the club.
Additionally, Barcelona’s financial situation may impact their decision to sell Koundé, as they need to raise funds to sign new players.
While the reports of Arsenal’s interest in Koundé are promising, it remains to be seen whether a deal will materialize.
The Gunners will likely face competition from other clubs for the defender’s signature, and Barcelona’s valuation of the player may be a stumbling block in negotiations.
