According to SPORT, Paris Saint-Germain have joined Tottenham and Newcastle in the race to sign Jules Kounde.
What’s the story?
Well, the France international has been the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, with Chelsea also trying to secure his signature.
So far, Sevilla have stood firm on the defender’s €90m (£76m) release clause, a sum which nobody has been willing to meet as of yet.
Now, however, things could get interesting as PSG and their extreme wealth join the party.
SPORT believe the champions of France are hoping to sign Inter colossus Milan Skriniar, but have shortlisted Kounde due to problems in their pursuit of the Slovakia international.
Talk of PSG wanting the 23-year-old comes after some sources claimed Newcastle are willing to pay his £76m release clause, with Chelsea also ready to trigger it.
In our view, if that £76m bid is actually submitted, personal terms should be quite straightforward due to his desire to leave Spain.
Interest in the Paris-born defender comes after he made 44 appearances in all competitions for Sevilla last season, scoring three goals while also providing one assist.
Tottenham & Newcastle hold advantage over PSG
In our view, Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe hold one key advantage over Christophe Galtier in this battle.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Kounde wants a move to the Premier League, which immediately puts Spurs and the Magpies ahead of PSG.
Of course, the Parisians have enough money to make the Frenchman change his mind, and they are also situated in the city of his birth, which could sway him.
However, Romano is one of the most reliable journalists around, so we believe Kounde does have his heart set on a move to England.
Now, it is up to Tottenham and Newcastle to satisfy Sevilla’s asking price – only time will tell if they pay the money.
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