Barcelona president Joan Laporta has indicated that Barcelona is ready to beat Chelsea in the race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde.
Chelsea came close to signing the France international last summer before Sevilla raised their asking price to €80 million (£68.5m).
Kounde has remained on Chelsea’s radar but Thomas Tuchel’s side is now prioritising a move for Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus.
Barcelona is also interested in Kounde but has made a slow start to its summer transfer business due to its financial restrictions.
Laporta, however, has now suggested that Barcelona will step up their efforts next week with Leeds United winger Raphinha and Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski keen to make a move to Camp Nou.
