As Chelsea and Barcelona compete for the Sevilla defender’s services, Jules Kounde may soon deal an unanticipated big blow to Arsenal. This summer, the 23-year-old has been strongly connected with a transfer to Camp Nou, but the Blues are in a strong position to scuttle a deal because the Spanish heavyweights have yet to resolve their well-known financial problems.
According to recent sources, Thomas Tuchel’s side is planning to submit an offer this week after orally agreeing on certain conditions earlier in the window. Barcelona is thought to have created a list of options as Chelsea moves closer to inviting Kounde to Stamford Bridge.
If Barcelona is unsuccessful in luring Jules Kounde away from Sevilla, they have compiled a list of backup candidates, which includes William Saliba of Arsenal.
Saliba feels as though he belongs in London Colney, despite the fact that three years after moving to the club for £27 million from St. Etienne, he has yet to make a professional appearance for Arsenal.
Saliba failed in his recent attempts to make the Arsenal first squad, therefore he spent the previous season on loan at Marseille.
Given that Ben White and Gabriel made a strong defensive pairing last season, Saliba would find it difficult to play often, and a transfer might be in the cards.
After establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising prospects while on loan at Marseille last season, Saliba, whose contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in 2024, is poised for a pivotal season at Arsenal this year. The Frenchman led Jorge Sampaoli’s previous team to a silver medal finish in Ligue 1 with 36 appearances for the Olympians, finishing behind Paris Saint-Germain.
The rumors claim that Saliba wants a guarantee of playing time at Arsenal and may try to depart if Mikel Arteta is unable to give him such a guarantee.
For Arsenal’s preseason, the defender stated that he would be present. He emphasized once more that he has never played a game for Arsenal and that he is prepared to prove his prowess and earn a chance to play for the fans and for this prestigious club in any situation.
