Newcastle United want to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde. The club bid £59 million for him in January according to Mundo Deportivo and are now looking to revisit a potential deal.
However, the report states that Barcelona has him in their sights. His release clause, which is around £76 million, is an obstacle for Xavi’s side. He was very close to joining Chelsea last summer, but the two clubs could not agree on a fee.
The interest in the Frenchman was vast that summer. Sevilla also allowed the 23-year-to talk to Tottenham Hotspur. But Kounde rejected Spurs according to Marca, as he wanted Champions League football.
Kounde would be a great signing, but it would be difficult to pull off
He would be a great signing for Newcastle. He’s been one of Sevilla’s outstanding defenders recently, so it’s no wonder Newcastle want Kounde.
However, agreeing on a fee could be tricky unless the Magpies trigger his release clause. One of Newcastle’s transfer targets in January was Diego Carlos who also plays for Sevilla. The negotiations were very difficult for the Magpies.
When they tried to sign Carlos in January, personal terms were agreed but the two clubs couldn’t agree on a fee, frustrating the Toon in the process. This caused the deal to crumble.
Sevilla do seem more willing to sell this summer. But seeing that Kounde rejected Spurs last year, he could do the same to Newcastle. Especially because they don’t have European football to offer him next season.
On the positive side of things, Kounde might see the potential big project the Magpies are building and want in. However, with others like Barcelona and Chelsea still interested, Newcastle will have fierce competition.
Defensive additions incoming
Eddie Howe will look to strengthen his defensive options next season. Dan Burn and Fabian Schar have been immense this season, but the Toon are lacking in depth. The only other defender he’s given much of a chance to is Jamaal Lascelles.
Federico Fernandez and Ciaran Clark have hardly featured this season. Clark was even dropped from the 25-man squad at the end of the transfer window. So both could leave at the end of this season.
There will be a number of Newcastle transfer targets this summer, many of them in defence. If the club wish to improve and push further up the table next season, depth at the back will need to be addressed.
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