Chelsea and Barcelona have been inextricably linked throughout the current summer transfer window.
The two sides have been competing for signings throughout the off-season - a number of players having been linked with moves to both the Camp Nou and Stamford Bridge. Former Leeds star Raphinha and Polish striker Robert Lewandowski are immediately those that spring to mind. The Blues were rumoured to be in the running for the pair but new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was left frustrated with the pair penning long-term contracts with the Spanish giants.
And direct discussions between the two sides have also taken place regularly. Andreas Christensen at first made the move to Barca at the end of his contract in west London. In the meantime, Cesar Azpilicueta could also be set to follow the Dane to Spain with the Catalans keen on making a move for the current Chelsea captain.
One further deal that has the Blues and Barcelona involved in could potentially cost Arsenal dear this summer. As per reports in Spain, Chelsea are still interested in Sevilla star Jules Kounde.
The Blues are ‘hopeful’ of agreeing a fee for the Frenchman’s services having been tracking him for some time. They do however face competition from of course Barcelona.
Should Chelsea be successful in beating Barcelona to their services - finally getting the better of the Spanish club for the first time this summer - then that could leave the Gunners in a tricky position.
Will Arsenal be able to hold onto William Saliba? Share your thoughts in the comments below
According to Jijantes, Arsenal defender William Saliba is on a long list of defenders that Barca could sign should they fail in their pursuit of Kounde.
The Frenchman features alongside Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar, Spanish duo Inigo Martinez and Roger Ibanez, as well as RB Leipzig’s Joško Gvardiol on their summer shortlist.
Should Saliba be sold, then that would see Arsenal lose out on one of their most promising young players. Having been signed from Saint Etienne three years ago, he has not made a single senior appearance for the north London club.
However, following a standout season during a loan spell with Marseille, he was expected to challenge both Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes for a starting berth at the Emirates Stadium. With only two years remaining on his contract in north London, Arsenal might face a decision over whether to sell.
Should they do that then that would only leave the club with three senior centre-backs to call upon for the remainder of the campaign - with Rob Holding playing back-up to White and Gabriel moving forwards. Whether Arsenal enter the market for a centre-back following a sale remains to be seen but the Gunners have already been busy so far this summer.
The north Londoners have already completed four signings so far - Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos all arriving at the club. A fifth will soon follow with Oleksandr Zinchenko edging towards making his move.
That would take Arsenal’s total expenditure to approximately £120m - almost as much as they spent last summer. The question remains over whether they would be willing to fork out even more for an additional central defender.
So whilst the Gunners’ current business has progressed without a hitch, the new-found transfer rivalry between Premier League rivals Chelsea and Barcelona could see that change.
