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Arsenal have expressed serious interest in signing Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, according to a report from Diario Sport. The 26-year-old French international has also attracted attention from Chelsea in recent months.

The Gunners\' pursuit could be significantly strengthened by the arrival of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director. Berta reportedly maintains strong connections at Barcelona from his time at Atlético Madrid, where he completed several transactions with the Catalan club.

According to the Spanish publication, Arsenal made initial contact with Koundé \"a few months ago,\" with the defender indicating receptiveness to a potential move to North London. This represents another potential Premier League destination for Koundé, who nearly joined Chelsea before his Barcelona transfer.

Despite potential interest from both parties, significant obstacles remain. Barcelona manager Hansi Flick considers Koundé a crucial piece of his defensive plans, and any transfer would likely command approximately €75 million, which could prove exorbitant for Arsenal\'s budget.

Barcelona\'s ongoing financial difficulties could ultimately influence their decision-making process. While Flick values Koundé highly, the club\'s economic situation means substantial offers for any player must receive serious consideration from the board.

Via ESPN