Former Chelsea target Jules Kounde is ‘open to leaving Barcelona this summer’

Jules Kounde is ‘willing to leave Barcelona this summer’ after being played out of position at right back this season.

The 24-year-old arrived at the Nou Camp from Sevilla last summer and has been a key player this season, playing 38 games across all competitions and picking up a LaLiga winners medal.

It has not come in his natural position, though, with the Frenchman pushed out to right back rather than his preferred centre half.

The compromise appears to have left Kounde questioning his future at Barca, as  Football Espana report he has told manager Xavi he would be ‘open to leaving’.

Losing the centre back would be a big blow for the Catalan Giants, as he was seen by many as the future of their defence.

Jules Kounde is ‘open to leaving Barcelona this summer’ despite helping them to the league title

Xavi has tended to play the 24-year-old Frenchman out of position at right back

He was also chased by Chelsea last summer, but the Blues are unlikely to re-ignite their interest after inflating their squad in January and placing a new striker as their top priority.

Ironically, Kounde is believed to have preferred Barca over the West London club due to concerns about playing out of position under Thomas Tuchel.

Aside from transfer concerns, Xavi’s side have enjoyed an excellent league campaign this season that saw them win the league with four games to spare earlier this month.

They secured the title with a 4-2 win over local rivals Espanyol, and remain 13 points clear of second place Atletico Madrid with three games left to play.

Barca will next be in action against Real Valladolid on Tuesday night, and will be keen to bounce back after losing to Real Sociedad on Saturday.