Chelsea can complete £339m Barcelona raid to plot revenge on Kounde and Raphinha transfer
misery
Like Ander Herrera's infamous bout with Eden Hazard when Chelsea faced Manchester United
at Old Trafford in 2017, Barcelona have been closely monitoring the Blues' summer transfer
business.
So much so that two of Thomas Tuchel's primary targets - Jules Kounde and Raphinha - now
look to be poached by the Spanish giants.
The Sevilla defender has been heavily linked with a move to west London for some time now
after Chelsea first registered interest 12 months ago.
football.london understand that Chelsea are 'extremely confident' of landing Kounde this
summer, with Xavi's side about to give up.
But, it seems that Barcelona are plotting another swoop for the 23-year-old, casting
fresh doubt as to whether Chelsea can win the race for his signature.
Meanwhile, with Raphinha, football.london understand that Todd Boehly had a £55million
bid, with £10million payable via add-ons, accepted by Leeds United.
The Catalan side was Raphiniha's preferred destination.
Despite the misery, Chelsea have already welcomed Kalidou Koulibaly, who - ironically enough
- was said to have been interested in a move to Barcelona, and Raheem Sterling.
However, after an uninspiring pre-season tour of the United States, Thomas Tuchel is believed
to want more arrivals this summer as he looks to undergo a rebuild.
Though, it now seems to be a lottery as to whether Kounde will pen a deal at Stamford
Bridge or the Camp Nou.
So we, football.london, took a look at how Chelsea can exact their revenge on Barcelona
in the final weeks of the summer transfer window — market values courtesy of CIES
Football Observatory where applicable.
Frenkie de Jong - £102million
Frenkie de Jong has been thinly linked with a move to Chelsea amid Manchester United's
strong interest.
football.london understands that the west Londoners have 'liked' the idea of signing
the Dutchman for a few years now.
He'd be a great option in the Blues midfield, though it seems that this ship has sailed.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, De Jong would be open to taking a pay cut in order
to stay at the Camp Nou.
Sergino Dest - £17million
Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for Sergino Dest in the January transfer window,
with the young full-back seen as a backup to both Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo at the time, Barcelona did not want to accept
an offer of below €20million (£17m) for the 21-year-old.
Dest can operate on the left and right flanks to great success, making him the natural candidate
to deputise for James and Chilwell.
He has a bright future ahead of him, but maybe not the first name on many Blues fans' transfer
wish lists.
Pedri - £127million
Probably the most far-fetched of all these options, but definitely the most exciting.
Pedri is seen as the second coming of Andres Iniesta at Barcelona, and he's already become
a cornerstone in Spain's first team.
Gavi - £59million
While still somewhat far-fetched, Gavi has actually been linked with a move to west London
in the past.
According to reports from Spain earlier this year, Chelsea and Liverpool have made contact
with the 17-year-old sensation.
However, it has since been reported by SPORT that the midfielder has decided to stay at
the Camp Nou and extend his contract.
It's said that Gavi will sign an agreement to extend his contract this month upon his
return to pre-season training with Barcelona.
SPORT add that Gavi will accept lower wages than he would ordinarily have done to help
the Spanish side's well-documented financial woes.
Memphis Depay - £34million
Depay, who is out of contract at Barcelona next summer, would be a bargain signing for
many clubs in Europe, including Chelsea, who have been thinly linked in recent times.
The 28-year-old would be an exciting addition to the Blues strike force; he could operate
as either a false-nine or an inside-forward.