‘I knew’ - Jules Koundé explains decision to join Barcelona over Chelsea amid £42m transfer

Jules Koundé has explained why he rejected a move to Chelsea this summer.

The centre-back received an offer from Chelsea this summer but wound up joining Barcelona on a deal worth just under £42million.

Sevilla chief Monchi has already confirmed that the Blues briefly withdrew an offer before Barca stepped in with a lesser proposal.

Chelsea are said to have made another offer late in the day, but it was below what the Blaugrana had offered.

Barcelona were then able to complete a deal for one of the highest rated centre-backs in Europe, while Chelsea missed out.

The Blues are in need of centre-backs this summer after losing Antonio Rudiger and Antonio Rudiger, though Kalidou Koulibaly has softened the blow.

Chelsea also made a move for Koundé last year, and this is the second time they have missed out on a deal.

Unlike last summer, it seems Koundé had a say in this summer’s decision, and he was in little doubt over making the switch to Camp Nou.

“Xavi is a big reason as to why I’m here. His spiel convinced me, I’m excited to start working with the team,” Kounde said in his first in-house interview via The Evening Standard. “It’s clear that we see football in the same way.”

“It’s true that I had another offer, but I made the effort to wait for Barca to reach an agreement with Sevilla. When I saw that it was possible, I chose Barca because I knew very clearly where I wanted to go.

“It wasn’t a big decision, because I wanted to come here. I’m very happy, very proud. I’m coming to a big club, an ambitious club and I’m also coming with ambition.”

Tough luck for Chelsea, who are left still searching for another top quality centre-back, though, there is still plenty of time remaining in the summer window.