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

Sevilla defender Jules Koundé has now explained why he ended up at Barcelona rather than Chelsea, who missed out for a second season running.

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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.

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.”

Koundé wound up at Barca Koundé wound up at Barca
Koundé wound up at Barca

“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.