- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Chelsea are keeping a close eye on this season’s Champions League and Wednesday night’s match in Napoli was of particular interest to the club.
HITC Football can exclusively reveal that Chelsea watched Barcelona defender Jules Kounde during Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with the Serie A champions.
Chelsea scouts also took a particular interest in Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, who HITC exclusively announced had already held talks with the West London club.
The Nigerian forward found the back of the net after returning from the African Cup of Nations, but Barcelona’s 25-year-old centre-back was also on Chelsea’s radar.
Chelsea scouts watched Kounde in the Champions League
The Premier League season might not end for another few months, but already Mauricio Pochettino’s side are looking forward to the summer transfer window.
The Argentinian coach has a youthful squad but it’s also far too large right now and plenty of players could potentially move on.
One of those players is Marc Cucurella, with Chelsea eyeing another young left-back.
It’s also very likely that veteran centre-back Thiago Silva will move on at the end of the season.
That means Chelsea will have to bring in defensive reinforcements and they watched Jules Kounde with intrigue in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old is a senior French international and has previously been linked with a move to the Premier League.
HITC understands Chelsea have never turned away from a move for Kounde, while Arsenal and Newcastle have previously registered interest.
Barcelona star Kounde could be let go this summer
While Victor Osimhen grabbed the headlines on Wednesday night with his equaliser against Kounde’s Barcelona, the Frenchman won’t be disappointed with his performance.
Barcelona’s number 23 – who typically plays as a right-sided centre-back – made three clearances, three tackles and one interception.
He won seven of his 12 duels which is particularly impressive given how strong Osimhen is in the air.
Kounde completed 39 out of his 49 passes and while that number should be slightly higher for a centre-back, he was up against one of the strongest sides in Europe.
HITC Football believes that Chelsea are looking at defensive options ahead of the next transfer window and watched Kounde because they believe he could be available in the summer.
The 25-year-old is one of Barcelona’s biggest earners and he could be moved on as they continue to monitor their spending.
They know that if they want to bring in reinforcements they need to move on several players currently in the squad.
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