Jules Kounde was presented as a Barcelona player on Monday
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Jules Kounde has offered fresh insight into his move to Barcelona despite Chelsea’s attempts to sign him.
The French international was told to delay a decision on his future while Barca raised the funds to compete with Thomas Tuchel’s side after both clubs had targeted the Sevilla star.
Ultimately, it was Barca who won the race to sign the 23-year-old, who was presented as their fifth summer signing at the club’s training ground on Monday.
The situation was somewhat similar to that of Chelsea’s chase of Raphinha, another player who opted to move to the Catalan giants amid a backdrop of financial uncertainty ahead of a switch to Stamford Bridge.
Barca also retain an interest in both Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso, who have offers on the table to move to the La Liga side.
At his presentation, Kounde said: “I had another option but I waited for Barça to reach a deal with Sevilla. It’s a club with an ambitious project and I like La Liga so I made an effort as this is where I want to be.
“Talking to Xavi was easy and I could feel his warmth and his desire for me to sign. That was important for me.
“He asked me to continue what I have been doing at Sevilla, be agressive and bring the ball out from the back, which are my strong points.”
