According to Foot Mercato, Real Madrid are now pushing to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde amid links to Arsenal.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Arsenal are prioritising the signing of a right-sided centre back and had picked out Kounde as a target.
However, they were worried that the 22-year-old would be out of reach at £50million whilst demanding Champions League football.
If Arsenal weren’t discouraged enough, then they will be now. Real Madrid are believed to be keen on a summer deal for the centre back and have accelerated contact with Kounde’s agents.
The former Bordeaux man has excelled this season, being branded ‘the total footballer’ y Diario de Sevilla and his performances have seen him land a place in France’s European Championship squad.
Real seem like a much more likely destination for Kounde than Arsenal, and there could be a double whammy for the Gunners.
The report notes that Sevilla have already picked out Lens defender Loic Bade to replace Kounde – but he’s a player Arsenal want too according to Calcio Mercato.
Missing out on Kounde would be one thing given his lofty price tag, but missing out on Bade too? That would be a real double whammy for Edu and Arsenal in a key summer window.
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