Sevilla had practically closed the switch of Kounde to Chelsea for around 65 million euros (55 million euros constant plus ten in variables), but the participant, consistent with the identical assets, wanted to sign for Barcelona or even has a private agreement for the subsequent four seasons.
So Barcelona went all in. Sevilla relied on Jorge Mendes, an intermediary with whom Barcelona president Joan Laporta has a terrific courting, and Barcelona instruct Xavi Hernandez contacted the Frenchman to provide an explanation for his challenge.
Then it changed into Barcelona's director of football, Mateu Alemany, who has been one of the maximum distinguished figures within the summer switch market, who entered the negotiation.
Sevilla had been asking 65 million for Kounde and Chelsea, even though in instalments and with variables, have been willing to attain that amount; now Barcelona, of their first provide, reached forty five (40+5), according to 'TV3', which confident that Sevilla had decreased their needs to 55 (50+five), given that the participant might best be given the provide made by way of the Catalan facet.
So if Barcelona accelerate negotiations, Kounde ought to soon be a 'Cule' and could come to be the sixth signing for next season after Kessie, Christensen, Raphinha, Dembele and Lewandowski.
Some reports, no longer confirmed by using 'EFE', claim that the participant should even be part of the closing part of the excursion of the USA in New York, between Wednesday and Sunday, where Barça will play towards the New York Red Bulls.
Apart from Kounde, Barça are still in negotiations to signal a couple of full-backs, a position in which they need to boost their squad because of the lack of players.
