Jules Kounde is a name that you are likely to hear a lot this summer, with the Sevilla centre-back having been included in France’s squad for Euro 2020, while he has plenty of clubs hoping to secure his signature.
Sevilla had to fend off interest from Manchester City last summer, as the English club made an offer for Kounde that was rejected before moving for Ruben Dias, and now there are more clubs at the table. Yet, the Andalusian club are clear: they want to receive his release clause of 80 million euros.
Despite interest from Real Madrid and Barcelona, Premier League clubs Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are keen on luring Kounde to England.
In fact, there is already talk of a price tag or an offer of 56 million pounds (65 million euros), a higher amount than what Manchester City offered (55 million euros) a year ago.
Sevilla are not yet aware of any offers and no one has made a formal bid, however sporting director Monchi understands that this is just a matter of time.
The sale of Kounde would see Sevilla receive a record amount, with their previous highest sale being Wissam Ben Yedder’s 40 million euro departure to Monaco.
Kounde initially arrived at Sevilla from Bordeaux for a fee of 20 million euros plus five million euros in add-ons, which him their joint-record signing with Rony Lopes, yet Monchi always had faith that the Frenchman would come good.
“Perhaps it might attract attention, but those who know him know that there is less risk than it might seem,” Monchi said at Kounde‘s presentation two years ago.
Many of Sevilla‘s top sales have been either French players or players that have arrived from Ligue 1, as this is a market that Monchi sees a lot of potential in. Then, in Andalusia, Sevilla provide the conditions for these players to thrive, as has been seen with Kounde.
- Wissam Ben Yedder: 40 million euros
- Clement Lenglet: 35.9 million euros
- Vitolo Machin: 35.6 million euros
- Dani Alves: 35.5 million euros (plus add-ons)
- Kevin Gameiro: 32 million euros
- Carlos Bacca: 30 million euros
- Grzegorz Krychowiak: 27.5 million euros
- Sergio Ramos: 27 million euros
- Steven Nzonzi: 26.65 million euros
- Alvaro Negredo: 25 million euros
