Transfer Centre

Sevilla chief Monchi confirms Jules Kounde exit

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 28 July 2022

Sevilla sporting director Monchi confirms that Jules Kounde is leaving the club, the French defender due to complete a transfer to Barcelona.

Sevilla sporting director Monchi has acknowledged that the search is underway to replace outgoing defender Jules Kounde.

The La Liga outfit have spent all summer dealing with speculation regarding the 23-year-old's future, the assumption being that he would sign for a different European club.

At one stage, long-term admirers Chelsea appeared to be in pole position to sign the France international, but Barcelona have now won the race.

Reports have indicated that the final formalities ahead of an official announcement are being conducted with a transfer likely to be confirmed on Thursday or Friday.

However, speaking to the Daily Mail, Monchi has confirmed that Sevilla are already in the market for a replacement.

Sevilla's Jules Kounde pictured on December 18, 2021 © Reuters

Monchi said: "When the two best players leave a team, the challenge to replace them is not easy, but we feel good about this.

"We really trust [Julen] Lopetegui, our manager, because we sell players but we are sure the players we sign will be better."

Soon after the end of last season, Sevilla decided to accept an offer from Aston Villa for Kounde's central-defensive partner Diego Carlos.

Los Nervionenses have already moved to sign Marcao from Galatasaray in his place, but they have been prevented from settling on another centre-back due to the uncertainty over Kounde.

Barcelona's Memphis Depay on September 14, 2021 © Reuters

As it stands, Marcao remains Sevilla's solitary signing of the summer, despite other players from last season's squad also moving on to pastures new or returning to their parent clubs.

In sharp contrast, Kounde stands to become Barcelona's fifth major signing of the summer, despite their well-documented financial issues.

Sevilla are one of the clubs to be linked with Barcelona's Memphis Depay, who has recently been made available for transfer having fallen down the pecking order.

As well as at centre-back, Sevilla are also a player light at left-back and in attack due to the exits of Ludwig Augustinsson and Anthony Martial.