According to rumors in Spain, Barcelona has turned down Arsenal’s initial offer for Jules Kounde.
Kounde, who arrived at Barcelona two years ago in a €50 million (£41.8 million) trade from Sevilla, just concluded his second season there.
Although the 25-year-old can play right or center back, he spent much of last season playing on the right side of Barca’s defense, and he has continued to play in that position for France’s three Euro 2024 group matches.
Jijantes claims that although Arsenal has enquired about Kounde’s availability this summer, Barcelona is not actively seeking to move the France international.
‘Barca have told them he is not going to leave at the moment and for Jules Kounde to leave it would take a high offer,’ said Jijantes host Gerard Romero.
‘They have told Arsenal they are waiting for Ronald Araujo and it depends what happens with him.
‘I have a lot of doubts about selling Jules. I agree in the end you can’t sell both, you have to sell one or the other.’
Given that Kounde has a €1 billion (£837m) release clause as part of contract with Barcelona, Arsenal would need to negotiate a transfer fee for the defender.
Meanwhile, Ronald Araujo’s future at Barcelona looks unclear with the club open to offers for the Uruguay international this summer.
Araujo’s current contract is due to expire in 2026 and several clubs across Europe have expressed an interest, including Manchester United and Bayern Munich, who explored the possibility of signing him in the January transfer window.
Reports have claimed that in order to raise funds, Barcelona would entertain offers in the region of €100m (£84.6m) for Araujo, although that price is unlikely be to be attractive for United, who are working with a restricted budget in the summer window.
Joan Laporta, the president of Barcelona, stated in a speech in March that the club would want to retain Araujo.
Laporta declared, “I would renew him for life.”
He’s a fantastic individual. He is among the team’s finest center backs.
“I am 100 percent focused on the Copa America,” Araujo said in response to a question this week asking him to promise that he will play for Barcelona the following season.