Chelsea have been sent a timely reminder why they still remain favourites over Barcelona for the signing of Sevilla star Jules Kounde amid claims that he has rejected a move to the Blues.
The 23-year-old's future has been a transfer story that dates back to last summer when Chelsea tried to construct a deal but a last minute move of goalposts from Sevilla director Monchi meant that a £42million transfer was not completed. Fast forward to now and despite initial thinking from new owner Todd Boehly and Thomas Tuchel to ditch Marina Granovskaia's long-term plans, set-backs in a reported Matthijs de Ligt pursuit meant that the new regime turned back to Kounde.
However, this time around, dithering has allowed Barcelona time to convince the Frenchman that his long-term future would be better served in Spain rather than England. Such to a point that reports in Spanish claim the player has rejected Chelsea's proposal in favour of the Catalan giants with a move to Barca described as a 'matter of time.'
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Whilst Chelsea fans now anxiously wait for the latest updates to see whether or not Kounde remains viable, they have been sent a timely reminder by a certain owner that they still are the favourites to land the Sevilla No.23.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has been speaking to the Italian media about the Kalidou Koulibaly exit with Chelsea able to poach on the £34million opportunity that was presented their way.
In his admission of talking about what the club did to try and sway the Senegalese' thinking, De Laurentiis dropped a subtle hint as to why Chelsea remain favourites over Barcelona still for Kounde despite all the recent negative updates.
"I let Koulibaly go because he asked me to," he told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli via Football Italia.
"Barcelona had come in, but they didn’t have the money because they are in debt. Then Chelsea came forward and we couldn’t say no to someone like Koulibaly, despite the fact I tried in every possible way to keep him, offering €6million (£5.1million) per season net.
"But if a player wants a new experience at a prestigious club, in the biggest league in the world, you have to recognise what he’s given you and not put up walls."
His Barcelona 'money' admission could still ring true, though the Spanish club have recently agreed to sell off more of their future TV rights in order to free up cash.
Chelsea fans- With Barcelona having 'no money' according to the Napoli owner, how can they possibly afford to match the Blues' large offer for Jules Kounde? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below!
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