Arsenal are reportedly giving consideration to a surprise £55m swoop for versatile Barcelona defender Jules Kounde during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have so far managed well in the absence of injured stalwart Gabriel Magalhaes, as Jakub Kiwior has stepped up to the plate alongside the Brazilian's regular partner William Saliba.
Kiwior excelled across the two legs of Arsenal's astonishing 5-1 Champions League quarter-final aggregate win over Real Madrid, but the expectation is that Gabriel will waltz back into the team when fit.
Kiwior could therefore push to leave in the summer transfer window amid repeated links with a return to Serie A, while Real Madrid may make a concerted effort to prise Saliba away from the Emirates too.
Mikel Arteta can draft the adaptable Ben White and Jurrien Timber into the centre of defence too, but both players thrive in the right-back role, while Takehiro Tomiyasu's knee injury will not heal until 2026.
Arsenal 'ready to bid £55m' for Kounde
© Iconsport
Upgrading the backline is not expected to be Arsenal's priority this summer, but exits could change the plans of sporting director Andrea Berta, and The Sun has reported that Kounde has now emerged as a target for the Gunners.
The Frenchman was regarded as one of La Liga's top defensive prospects during his time at Sevilla and appeared to be on the way to Chelsea in 2022, only for Barcelona to swoop in and hijack a deal.
The 26-year-old shone as a centre-back for Sevilla but has since successfully transitioned to a right-back role for Barcelona, registering six goals and 18 assists in 139 matches for the Blaugrana in all competitions.
Kounde has been a near ever-present for Hansi Flick's side in the 2024-25 campaign, coming up with three goals and eight assists in 51 appearances as Barca chase a La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana quadruple.
However, the France international is out of contract in two years' time, and the report claims that Arsenal would be willing to shell out £55m to bring him to North London for the 2025-26 campaign.
Kounde and Arsenal could come head-to-head later this spring in the Champions League final, as the Gunners prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain while Flick's side battle Inter Milan in the final four.
Why Arsenal have bigger transfer priorities than Kounde
© Imago
You do not play 50+ games for a quadruple-chasing team if you are not an exceptional player, which the versatile Kounde has proven that he most certainly is, but a £55m outlay cannot be justified this summer.
While Kiwior might be tempted to leave, Arsenal should price Saliba out of an exit and have witnessed Timber flourish in the right-back role, meaning that Kounde would not even be a surefire starter for Arteta.
The 26-year-old should not give up his guaranteed starting place at Barcelona for a possible rotational role at Arsenal, unless of course La Blaugrana deem a sale financially necessary given their economic state and his contract situation.
However, as Arsenal need to upgrade their striker, left-wing, number six and goalkeeper options this summer, the Gunners should not have £50m left over to splash out on Kounde.
Ben Knapton
