Jules Kounde could soon hand Arsenal an unexpected major blow as Chelsea and Barcelona battle for the Sevilla defender's signature. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Camp Nou this summer but, with the Spanish giants yet to solve their well-documented financial woes, the Blues look well positioned to hijack a deal.
football.london understand that Thomas Tuchel's side are plotting to table a bid this week after having verbally agreed personal terms earlier in the window. As Chelsea stride towards welcoming Kounde to Stamford Bridge, Barcelona are said to have drawn up a list of alternatives.
According to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Xavi has noted William Saliba as a potential candidate to replace the France international in the event that Barcelona fail their mission to sign the France international. It's believed that Milan Skriniar, Josko Gvardiol, Inigo Martinez and Roger Ibanez are on the Spanish side's list too, so it's not all doom and gloom if Chelsea reign victorious.
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Saliba, who sees his contract at the Emirates Stadium expire in 2024, is set for a defining campaign at Arsenal this season after proving himself as one of Europe's brightest prospects while on loan at Marseille last season. The Frenchman featured 36 times in Ligue 1 for the Olympians, steering Jorge Sampaoli's former side to a silver medal finish behind Paris Saint-Germain.
While Saliba is yet to make a senior appearance for Arsenal three years on from his £27million arrival from St-Etienne, he believes that he 'belongs' at London Colney. Speaking to TF1, as quoted by Get Football News France, the defender said: "I belong to Arsenal, and I still have two years there.
"I will be there for pre-season with Arsenal. I have played zero matches with Arsenal and I want to show them what I'm made of and have the chance to play for the supporters and for this big club - in any case, leaving like that would be a shame."
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