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Barcelona 'draw up five-player list of Jules Kounde alternatives'

Barcelona 'draw up five-player list of Kounde alternatives'
© Reuters
Barcelona reportedly put together a five-player list of alternatives to Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who is also being linked with Chelsea.

Barcelona are reportedly considering a number of alternatives to Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.

Earlier this week, president Joan Laporta admitted that he would now look to sign at least one new defender for head coach Xavi, despite the club's ongoing financial issues.

If reports are to be believed, Kounde is their priority target, the 23-year-old expected to depart Sevilla this summer with just two years left on his contract.

The Catalan giants are said to be the France international's preferred destination, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to strike a deal with their La Liga rivals.

Furthermore, Chelsea are also big admirers of the player and are said to have already put forward a proposal in the hope of edging out Barcelona.

Josko Gvardiol warms up for RB Leipzig in November 2021© Reuters

However, according to journalist Gerard Romero, who cites JijantesFC as his source, club officials have also compiled a list of potential alternatives in case Chelsea win the race for Kounde's signature.

William Saliba, Milan Skriniar, Josko Gvardiol, Inigo Martinez and Roger Ibanez are all said to be under consideration by last season's top-flight runners-up.

Everything is pointing to Saliba spending his first season with Arsenal after a successful stint on loan at Marseille, but the player has just two years left on his contract.

Although Skriniar is being tipped to leave Inter Milan this summer, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are yet to reach an agreement over a transfer fee.

Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar celebrates scoring against Genoa on August 21, 2021© Reuters

With regards to Gvardiol, the young Croatian appears highly likely to spend at least another season with RB Leipzig, who have the versatile defender tied down on a long-term contract.

Martinez has spent the last four years of his career representing Athletic Bilbao, but the Spain international has less than 12 months remaining on his existing deal.

Ibanez has made over 100 appearances for Roma, the 23-year-old playing a key role as the Italian giants won last season's Europa Conference League.

The list has seemingly been drawn up with Sevilla in a rush to resolve Kounde's future as they look to sign their own transfer targets over the next six weeks.

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Sevilla's Jules Kounde pictured on December 18, 2021
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