Arsenal ready to offer €65 million for Barcelona mainstay as Chelsea continue to circle | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has found himself at the centre of fresh transfer speculation, with English giants Arsenal preparing a €65 million bid for the French international, according to Mundo Deportivo.

After a strong season that has reinforced his importance to the Blaugrana under Hansi Flick, Kounde is now attracting serious interest from the Premier League once again.

It must be noted that while Kounde’s contract runs until 2027 and includes a staggering €1 billion release clause, Arsenal’s intent is not being taken lightly at he club.

This is because the Gunners’ pursuit is especially notable considering the timing, just as Barcelona attempt to reinforce their long-term core under Flick.

Barcelona are not worried

For now, though, it is said that the club remains calm, as Kounde is viewed as a pillar of the future project, and internal discussions are already underway to explore the possibility of a contract extension to further cement his role.

Arsenal are interested in Jules Kounde. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

It is no secret that Premier League clubs have kept tabs on Kounde since his days at Sevilla, with Chelsea also previously expressing strong interest.

The renewed attention is no surprise, given his versatility and consistency, qualities that make him a valuable asset for any top club.

At Barcelona, his ability to play as both a central defender and a right-back has made him indispensable for Flick, who values tactical adaptability in his system.

Meanwhile, Arsenal, who could potentially face Barcelona in a hypothetical Champions League final, seem eager to bolster their defence with a player capable of excelling at the highest level.

Despite the €65 million figure being tempting in financial terms, Barcelona are unlikely to entertain any negotiations unless Kounde himself expresses a desire to leave, something that has not occurred.

With the club working towards a long-term extension and Kounde reportedly happy in Catalonia, Arsenal’s move may end up being yet another case of a Premier League club trying, but failing, to lure away a cornerstone of the Barcelona project.