- Arsenal striker targets revealed; Gyokeres, Osimhen, and Isak make the list
- Arsenal interested in signing AC Milan star Ismael Bennacer
- Arsenal lead race to sign Martin Zubimendi this summer
- Arsenal ‘like’ Wolves star Pedro Neto ahead of summer swoop
- Arsenal face PSG challenge in summer swoop for Gyokeres
- Arsenal plot swoop to sign Semih Kilicsoy & Ferdi Kadioglu
- Alexander Isak reveals his stance on a potential Arsenal move
- Romano confirm Arsenal are keen on Viktor Gyokeres
- Arsenal ‘offer’ £51m for Sporting star Ousmane Diamonde
- Douglas Luiz to Arsenal transfer opportunity emerges
Report: Arsenal plotting ambitious £55m move to sign French star
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.
Ainslee Hafeni
June 25, 2021 at 12:36 pm
I am very delighted by Kounde & white eventhough midfield and attacker more important in gunners squads
Elliot
June 29, 2021 at 5:24 pm
Very misplaced priority. Why sign two defenders? William Saliba is there. Why not go for an attacking midfielder a striker and a stand in keeper and save the money? There is Isak, Camavinga and Mat Ryan. He is a decent keeper.