KEY POINTS

  • Barcelona paid $55 million to Sevilla for Jules Kounde
  • Kounde moved to Camp Nou on a five-year deal
  • He has already started 5 games for Barca this season

FC Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has revealed Manchester City were also in the race to sign him in the 2022 summer.

In a recent interview, Kounde spoke about the interest various top European clubs showed in him before Barcelona paid Sevilla $55 million and signed him on a five-year deal.

Manchester City were keeping a tab on Kounde's contract situation at Sevilla throughout the summer, but the Etihad side failed to secure the French center-back because they could not sell a few players, according to L'Équipe.

Kounde, who has already started five games for Barcelona this season, revealed Manchester City's interest in him dated back to his initial days at Sevilla.

"Yes, after my first season in Sevilla. It was very tempting [a move to Man City]. But I had also specified that it was my first year and that there was no question of forcing anything," said the French national.

When asked whether Pep Guardiola and Co also tried to sign him again this year, Kounde replied, "Yes, but players had to leave the club [Manchester City] first."

Manchester City had a fine run in the 2022 summer window. While they cashed in on the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling, they acquired Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Norwegian striker Haaland has been the center of attraction in English soccer, week after week. He has netted an incredible 14 goals in 10 competitive appearances for City this season, including two back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League.

Towards the end of the 2022 summer window, Barcelona and Chelsea were believed to be in an intense battle for Kounde. The 23-year-old defender earlier revealed that he had spoken to both Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez and then-Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel, but it was the former who convinced him to join FC Barcelona.

Sergio Oliveira of Portugal battles for possession with Jules Kounde of France
Sergio Oliveira of Portugal battles for possession with Jules Kounde of France Getty Images | Alex Livesey - UEFA/UEFA

The former Sevilla center-back had also expressed his desire to be a part of the Barcelona side.

"First, I come to a huge club, which has known good times and which, lately, has had less. I come to a project that I would not call reconstruction because we already have a competitive team, but rather an upturn. I was interested in being part of this new wave, in search of titles, and to put Barça back where it has always been, among the best," added Kounde.