ARSENAL LINING UP BID FOR £75M RATED BARCELONA STAR AS MIKEL ARTETA LOOKS TO MAKE MAJOR STATEMENT TO PL RIVALS.
They are hoping to improve their defensive options and the French international defender has been identified as a target. Liverpool and Chelsea are keeping tabs on him as well.
According to Fichajes, they are ready to offer €75 million to Barcelona for the versatile defender. Kounde is capable of operating as a central defender as well as a right-back.
The 26-year-old has been a key player for Barcelona since joining them from Sevilla and it will be interesting to see if the Spanish outfit are prepared to sanction his departure. They are going through financial difficulties and the lucrative proposal might prove to be difficult to turn down.
Kounde has proven himself in La Liga and he could be attracted to the idea of performing in the Premier League now. He has the physicality and technical attributes to do well in English football and he could establish himself as a key player for Arsenal.
Arsenal are looking to build a formidable squad capable of winning the league title and the UEFA Champions League. Signing a proven performer like Kounde would be a wise decision. Chelsea could compete with them for the defender in January.
The player is at the peak of his powers and he could transform Arsenal defensively. The Gunners have already looked quite solid at the back and it will be interesting to see how Mikel Arteta accommodates the French international in his starting lineup. The likes of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes have been very impressive for Arsenal and they might need to switch to a back three to accommodate Kounde.
The report states that Arteta wants the French defender signed at all costs and the player is open to trying out a new challenge as well. It will be interesting to see if the two clubs can agree on a deal now. Arsenal certainly have the resources to pay a premium for the player and €75 million could prove to be hard to turn down for the Spanish outfit.
