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Report: Arsenal plotting ambitious £55m move to sign French star

By on June 25, 2021

According to news outlet ABC Sevilla, Arsenal are among the clubs keen on signing defender Jules Kounde and believe a deal could be agreed with Sevilla at around £55m this summer.

Kounde has developed into one of the most highly rated young defenders in Europe since joining Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019 and he’s part of the French national team squad that are favourites to win Euro 2020.

The 22-year-old has attracted interest from several clubs throughout Europe but mainly in the Premier League with ABC Sevilla claiming that Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all chasing the player.

The Spanish publication says the three clubs are eyeing moves to sign Kounde and despite the fact his buyout clause is set at £68m [€80m], we believe a deal can be struck with Sevilla closer to £55m [€65m].

That’s still a huge investment and Arsenal’s links with Kounde come at a time when there are widespread reports that claim we’re closing in on a £50m deal to sign Ben White from Brighton.

Similar to White

Like White, Kounde is predominantly a central defender but he can also play at right-back – where he lined-up for France against Portugal the other night – so they’re two very similar players on paper. Which begs the question why we’d be after both?

Perhaps Arteta wants to play Kounde in the middle of defence alongside Gabriel with White at right-back? I suppose it’s possible, but seems highly unlikely. Mainly because there is virtually no chance Arsenal will buy both players as we cannot afford to spend around £100m on two defenders.

Arteta needs to sign a couple of full-backs, at least two central midfielders and an attacking midfielder as well this summer. Sure, Arsenal will bring in money from selling unwanted players but there’s no way we can afford to buy two £50m defenders on our budget.

In any case, even if we could, ACB Sevilla says Arsenal will struggle to persuade Kounde to join the club as we cannot offer him European football and they suggest that Chelsea could be the most likely destination if he comes to England.

Maybe we did/do have interest in Kounde but it appears highly unlikely anything will come of it, and White is expected to be the big-money addition at the back this summer.

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