Mikel Arteta is keen to add further to his Arsenal squad ahead of the Premier League season opener against Coventry City
Jules Kounde prior to the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo.
Jules Kounde has emerged as a potential Arsenal transfer target. (Image: Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
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Arsenal are reportedly willing to pay a substantial fee to sign Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. Mikel Arteta is looking to add to his defensive options following injury to William Saliba.
The Gunners have shown an interest in Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, but the Midlands club will demand a fee of around £60 million. Reports this week also claim that they have held talks with Bayer Leverkusen over a possible move for former Liverpool man Jarell Quansah.
Both players are able to play both at centre-back and at right-back, and it seems that Arsenal are now looking at another player who can play both positions in Kounde.
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Spanish outlet Sport, via SportWitness claim that the player has a meeting scheduled with Barcelona boss Hansi Flick to speak about his future. It’s added that the Catalan club are open to offers for the Frenchman.
Arsenal are said to be the clubs showing the most interest, with it claimed that they are 'willing to pay a hefty fee' to complete the transfer. However, they will have competition from Bayern Munich.
Another report from Mundo Deportivo claims that Arsenal are joined by Liverpool and Manchester City, who are all keen on a potential move for Kounde this summer. The 27-year-old has four years remaining on his contract at the Nou Camp and is a regular starter under Flick.
Last season saw him make 47 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing four assists. He started all but one of France’s eight games in this summer’s World Cup, with him coming on as a late substitute in the 6-4 third-place play-off loss vs England.
Jules Kounde before the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Arsenal are linked with a transfer interest in Barcelona's Jules Kounde. (Image: MB Media/Getty Images)
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Arsenal have signed four players so far this summer, with defender Piero Hincapie making his loan move from Bayer Leverkusen permanent.
He has been joined by winger Christos Tzolis, who has joined from Club Brugge.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier has signed on a free transfer following his exit from Leeds United, while midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has completed a move from Newcastle United.
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