Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has indirectly warned Chelsea of what could be about to come with their Jules Kounde pursuit as Barcelona look to swoop in.
Barcelona’s summer transfer window has impacted many clubs across Europe and their players. Their dire financial situation at one point this summer led to rumours that they would only be limited to free signings.
Whilst a majority of their business has been just that with Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie picked up as free agents, there have so far been two big money signings in addition with Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski picked up at premium prices from Leeds and Bayern Munich respectively.More signings of this type could follow too with Jules Kounde and Cesar Azpilicueta both being targeted as Xavi’s priorities now switch to improving defence following the loan departure of Clement Lenglet, who is now a Spurs player.
On the Kounde front, Barcelona-based journalist Gerard Romero says that the 23-year-old has agreed on a four-year contract with the club. However, it seems as though Chelsea are in the driving seat for this signing with talks at an ‘advanced’ stage.
We understands that personal terms have been sorted for some time between Chelsea and Kounde whilst a fee in the region of £50million is expected to be settled on between the two clubs with a bid going in this week.
Despite Chelsea being in the prime position to get one back on Barcelona after the Raphinha and Dembele disappointment, their solid links to the France international still poses the question as to how they can afford so many transfer signings whilst being in a worrying financial predicament.
This is a question that Nagelsmann asked in the media as the Bavarians still ponder just how their European compatriots were able to prise their talismanic figure away from the Allianz Arena.
“It is the only club in the world that have no money, but then buy all the players they want. I don’t know how they do it. It’s a bit strange, a bit crazy,” he said via the Daily Mail.
The truth of the matter is that ‘economic levers’ being activated, one by one, is allowing this transfer spree to commence. A further lever which would free up the £171m for the Catalan giants is expected to come into play this week. Will this tilt the Kounde pendulum back in their favour? Chelsea will certainly hope not.
