Arsenal are dreaming big this summer and the latest name on their wishlist is Barcelona’s Jules Koundé.
Reports emerging from Spain suggest the Gunners are lining up a £55 million bid for the French defender, who has been one of the few consistent performers in a rocky Barcelona campaign. But here’s the twist: convincing Koundé to leave the Camp Nou won’t be that easy.
Since joining from Sevilla in 2022, the 25-year-old has become a trusted figure in Barcelona’s backline. He’s not just a centre-back; he’s filled in at right-back, started big Champions League nights, and remained composed even when Barça looked shaky. For Arteta, that profile screams “Premier League ready.”
And the numbers back it up.
In the 2024/25 La Liga season, Koundé has been a mainstay in the Barcelona defence:
32 appearances
29 starts
2 goals, 3 assists
2,606 minutes played
14 total shots
22 fouls committed
4 yellow cards, no reds
These stats highlight not just consistency but versatility, an all-round modern defender.
But Koundé isn’t unsettled. He’s still under contract, settled in Spain, and seen as key to Barça’s defensive rebuild under Hansi Flick. That said, Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues could force their hand if the money’s right and £55 million could turn heads in the boardroom.
From Arsenal’s end, this is a clear sign of intent. Depth in defence has been an issue this season, and Koundé offers both class and calmness. If this move does happen, it would be one of the smartest pieces of business Arteta has pulled off in recent windows.
But for now, this one’s in “monitoring” territory not yet a done deal.
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