Chelsea on alert as Barcelona ‘will listen to offers’ for former transfer target

The latest report from Spain suggests Barcelona are open to the sale of defender Jules Kounde, opening the door for Chelsea to revisit a former target.

Instead of going from strength to strength this season, the reigning Spanish champions are in turmoil as they sit third in their division – 10 points behind rivals Real Madrid.

Troubles have not only occurred on the pitch, however, as once again the Catalan club grapple with Financial Fair Play (FFP) restrictions that have them desperately attempting to balance the books. The situation is so grave in fact that manager Xavi Hernandez has opted to depart his position at the season’s end, with the club in his words “past the point of no return.”

But to one club’s detriment comes another’s gain, and that other club may yet be Chelsea. Covering Barca’s options, Deportivo Mundo state that Kounde is one of the more likely to leave this summer.

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As well as the club needing to ease their finances, the report explains that Kounde’s departure would make sense as he remains unhappy with his role at Camp Nou.

For a central defensive place in Xavi’s starting line-up he must compete with Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, Inigo Martinez, and Pau Cubarsi. Add into the mix Eric Garcia, who is to return from his loan at high-flying Girona at the end of the campaign, and that means Kounde’s most likely option for game time has been a spot at right back – one that he has made clear he does not wish to play.