Man City transfer target Jules Kounde could be on the market for €50m (£43m) to €60m (£52m) this summer, according to reports in the Italian media.
Barcelona are looking to raise money to fund their spending. Having already splashed out €80m (£69m) on Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, they have also lodged a bid in the region of €100m (£87m) for former City star Julian Alvarez.
Calciomercato.com claims that Barca will need to recoup substantial sums from player sales to afford these new signings, and Kounde is among those who could be sacrificed, with a move to the Premier League not “ruled out”.
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The right-back is not deemed indispensable by head coach Hansi Flick, having started 24 league games, and it looks like he could be offloaded if a team matches his asking price.
2 Premier League teams are circling Kounde
City did hold concrete interest in the 27-year-old last year, with several reliable journalists confirming that enquiries were made, but things did not progress any further.
Director of Football Hugo Viana appears to have kept tabs on Kounde’s situation since then, and there might well be more of a chance of securing his services this summer.
However, Calciomercato report that Chelsea may revive their interest as well, having tried to recruit him before he joined Barcelona.
Man City are looking at other right-backs
Viana is expected to strengthen the right-hand side of defence. Matheus Nunes was first choice this season, despite ostensibly being a midfielder.
Atalanta’s Marco Palestra, Roma’s Wesley, Juventus’s Andrea Cambiaso, Feyenoord’s Givairo Read and Brentford’s Michael Kayode have also been mentioned as targets, in addition to Kounde.
It is believed that interest in Newcastle’s Tino Livramento has cooled amid concerns about his overall fitness.
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