Report: Newcastle willing to trigger £78.4m release clause of Jules Kounde

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Newcastle United are willing to pay £78.4 million to trigger the release clause of Jules Kounde, but Mundo Deportivo reports that the centre-back is now looking to join Barcelona this summer.

Kounde will certainly be one to watch during the coming weeks. And Newcastle are one of the sides hoping to secure his signature.

Reports claimed the Magpies made a club-record bid in January. And they are ready to make a move this summer.

In fact, both Newcastle and Chelsea are prepared to bypass Sevilla in their push to sign the Frenchman. Both clubs are prepared to offer the £78.4 million that would trigger his release clause, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Unfortunately, the biggest hurdle may be Kounde himself. Mundo Deportivo adds that he wants to move to the Nou Camp. And he is no longer thinking about a potential Premier League switch.

Interestingly, Mundo Deportivo adds that Barca believe that they could sign Kounde for as little as £56.6 million. They could also offer players to Sevilla to lower his price further.

Newcastle willing to trigger Kounde release clause

Kounde is one of the most exciting defenders around right now. He is a ‘fantastic‘ player, with the ability on the ball of a composed playmaking-midfielder.

You can understand why he is wanted by the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea and Barcelona. However, Eddie Howe’s side must have had reservations about triggering his release clause.

The Telegraph reported this week that they plan to spend no more than £100 million in this window. So signing Kounde would obviously eat up the large majority of their budget.

Paying around £57 million would make their decision a little tougher. But it does appear that they will not need to worry about that conundrum with Kounde’s sights set on joining Barcelona.