Barcelona CONFIRM Jules Kounde transfer as ex-Chelsea target signs five-year contract including €1BILLION release clause
BARCELONA have confirmed Jules Kounde’s arrival – with a ONE BILLION EUROS buy-out clause.
The Spaniards beat Chelsea to the Sevilla centre-back on a five-year deal.
Barca also revealed the France star, who was pictured completing his medical, got down to training straight away on Friday and will be “officially presented” on Monday.
Kounde, 23, claimed team boss Xavi – previously a Nou Camp midfield genius – was a major lure in choosing Barcelona.
He told the club website: “The coach Xavi is one of the great reasons why I’m here. I’ve spoken to him several times and the way he spoke was captivating.
“We had some good conversations, we see football in the same way.
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“Now it’s a question of coming into the team, doing my best and getting as many minutes as possible.”
Barca released a statement on Friday night saying: “FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jules Olivier Kounde.
“The player will be signing a contract with the Catalan club for the next five seasons. The buyout clause has been set at one billion euros.”
That’s around £840million – a staggering amount for such an arrangement.
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Chelsea were favourites to land their prime defensive target until the past week.
Barcelona then increased their overtures to a player who fits their playing tradition – nippy, with a stylish ability to pass out from the back.
Describing his move as the “next step”, the 11-cap ace said: “I’m very proud and thankful for this opportunity.
“I’m very excited because I’m arriving at a great club and a great team.
“I’m really looking forward to playing with the team and getting to know my teammates.
“Sevilla is a great club, but Barca are the next step in my career at every level.”