Reports that Manchester City tried to hijack Barcelona's transfer for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde are untrue. Kounde, 23, has completed a move to Barcelona after being linked with a number of Premier League clubs in recent transfer windows - including City.
After securing his move to the Nou Camp, reports in France emerged that City tried to hijack the transfer at the last minute, but the Frenchman turned them down and completed his switch to Barcelona. Chelsea were strongly linked before the transfer was secured this week.
However, City were never in the market for a central defender this summer as Nathan Ake is staying at the Etihad following interest from Chelsea. With the London club not reaching City's asking price, the Dutchman will stay at the Etihad and compete with John Stones, Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte for a starting spot.
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If Ake had left, then City would have entered the market for a centre-back, but as he didn't, there was never any interest in Kounde or any other defender. Kounde then chose Barcelona over Chelsea, saying: "Sevilla is a great club, but Barca are the next step in my career at every level. Personally and in terms of football. I’m very excited and want to compete in every competition to win it. I will try and win as much as possible and that’s why I’m here.
“The coach Xavi is one of the great reasons why I’m here. I’ve spoken to him several times and the way he spoke was captivating. We had some good conversations, we see football in the same way. Now it’s a question of coming into the team, doing my best and getting as many minutes as possible.”
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