Newcastle Move in To Sign French Duo In £60m Deal

Newcastle are weighing up summer moves for two Les Blues players who are Ousmane Dembele and Jules Kounde. The French internationals have been contacted by other clubs with both players facing different situations in their respective clubs. Both players were on last summer’s France squad that was knocked out by Switzerland in the round of 16 of the Euro 2020 Championship.

Ousmane Dembele had made his mind up on leaving Barcelona in January but only Newcastle made a bid for the winger. Ousmane Dembele was not interested in switching to the Premier League and he rejected Newcastle’s offer. Barcelona have urged Dembele to sign a new contract but the player insists his demands have not been met, among which happens to be a pay rise in his salary that could make him the highest earner at the club.

Barcelona have refused to meet such demands and expect Ousmane Dembele to lower his asking demands but it is clear that both parties are at loggerheads at the negotiation table. Bayern Munich were remotely interested in Dembele last season but have since retracted their interests and  are looking for other options in the wide areas of the pitch.

Ousmane Dembele will be a free agent at the end of the season should he fail to extend with the Catalan side. Barcelona are still not giving up in their attemot to keep Ousmane Dembele for next season and possibly beyond. Barca were tipped to give the 25-year-old a four year deal that will expire in June 2026. The only hitch in the proposal was the salary.

Sources close to Dembele  explained  that he intends to earn more than £350k weekly and unfortunately Barcelona do not want to make that happem anytime soon. This has prompted the Frenchman to seek other options elsewhere for him to continue playing regularly. Newcastle have again come up as potential buyers for Ousmane Dembele and it is still not certain the player will agree terms with the Magpies when the summer transfer window opens.

A few other clubs are also in the race to snatch Ousmane Dembele on a free transfer this window. Paris Saint Germain are reportedly interested in landing Dembele to the French capital but just like Newcastle, nothing has been decided yet with any club by his representatives. Dembele is not keen on a new Barcelona contract unless his wage demands are met before June 10.

Jules Kounde has been on many clubs radar in recent periods, with Chelsea coming closest back in January but Sevilla refused at the last minute. The reason for the refusal was the fee for Kounde by Chelsea but as the deal fell through, Kounde remained in Sevilla. Sevilla have placed a £60m tag on the 23-year-old centre-back and this figure seems to have warded off any interests from other clubs.

Chelsea and Newcastle are ready to go all out for Kounde who is seen as a good ball-playing defender that can aid the midfield and also possesses admirable leadership qualities. £60m is being considered by both clubs who will make their bids at the beginning of the transfer window in June. Kounde has been a mainstay in Sevilla’s defence and sources close to him are still unsure on which club he will choose as he intends to think it over in the summer.