Barcelona President Makes Jules Kounde Claim Of Paying Sevilla Less Than Chelsea's Accepted Transfer Fee

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has revealed Sevilla wanted to sell Jules Kounde to Chelsea for a higher price before agreeing a deal with their Spanish counterparts. 

The 23-year-old’s switch to the Camp Nou was confirmed, subject to a medical and signing of contracts, on Thursday which sealed Barcelona’s transfer win over Chelsea.

Thomas Tuchel’s side were very interested in the France international and had a £55 million bid accepted by Sevilla, however Barcelona managed to strike an agreement for the defender after Kounde held out for an offer from Xavi's side.

"I'm going to come and hopefully do my best to play a leading role for this club,” Kounde said following the announcement. 

"I'm very proud, grateful and excited because I have arrived at a very big club with a team that is also like that.”

Their manager, Xavi Hernandez, played a huge part in Kounde’s decision to join Barcelona instead of Chelsea, who have been long-term admirers of the centre-back. 

Kounde added: Xavi is largely responsible (for the decision). His speech excited me.

"I spoke several times with him. The conversations were very fluid and he gave me the feeling that we see football in the same way.”

And Laporta believes that is the reason why Barcelona have been able to land Kounde for a lower price than what Sevilla had agreed with Chelsea. 

He claimed that Sevilla wanted to send him to England, but Kounde’s preference helped Barcelona to secure a transfer this summer.

Speaking to Mundo Deportivo in New York, Laporta admitted: “His club wanted to transfer him to a club that made a better offer, but the player has endured to come to Barca. 

“And also the players adjust their salary to the dimension of our salary structure. If this creates concern for our competitors, then we are doing it right.”

Laporta was quick to mention his belief that Barcelona were back to being competitive again after overcoming the challenging and complicated obstacles put in their way. 

He continued: “Barca is competitive again and will compete in all competitions. The weight and strength of a club with more than 122 years of history is very great, its assets are highly valued. 

“It is true that I would have liked not to sell the percentage of television rights, but the situation was complicated and required being brave and making decisions, because football does not wait and our fans, who are very well accustomed, deserve that a club like Barça compete. 

“Our demands are greater than those of others.”