Paris Saint-Germain have set their sights on Jules Koundé, with the 27-year-old Barcelona defender emerging as one of the French club’s main transfer targets during this summer’s transfer window. The French international is reportedly one of the latest requests made by head coach Luis Enrique.
Taking advantage of the ongoing talks regarding Ferran Torres, PSG are also looking to negotiate for Koundé in an attempt to lure him away from Barcelona.
At the Catalan club, Joan Laporta and Deco are reportedly willing to consider his sale if an official offer arrives, although it may not need to reach the €70 million figure that Barcelona turned down from other clubs last year.
According to RMC Sport, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is personally leading the club’s pursuit of Koundé, hoping to bring him under Luis Enrique’s guidance. The French champions’ coaching staff intend to use the 27-year-old in his natural position as a centre-back, the role he primarily played before joining Barcelona.
The negotiations are taking place alongside discussions over Ferran Torres, as PSG aim to continue their strategy of signing players from Camp Nou, following previous acquisitions such as Ousmane Dembélé and Lionel Messi.
The French club believe they can convince Koundé by offering him a project in which he would play a key role and be guaranteed regular minutes in central defence.
Joan Laporta and Deco acknowledge that it may be difficult to secure the €70 million valuation that Barcelona previously held, but the club’s hierarchy believe that a reasonable financial offer would help ease the club’s wage bill.
Barcelona have not ruled out the possibility of both the French defender and Ferran Torres leaving before the summer transfer window closes.
