Arsenal ready to offer £62 million in attempt to sign 26-year-old French defender: Reports

Arsenal are considering a move for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde according to Caught Offside (via Football Talk). The Gunners are reportedly ready to offer a sizeable amount in the region of £62 million for the Frenchman.

Kounde has established himself as a regular at Barcelona since his reported €55 million move from Sevilla in 2022. The 26-year-old has amassed 113 appearances for the Catalan club, contributing four goals and 16 assists so far. This season, he has played an integral role under new manager Hansi Flick's setup, featuring in all of the side's 19 games across competitions and registering a goal and six assists.

As per the abovementioned source, Arsenal are keen to bring Kounde to the Emirates and are willing to offer Barcelona £62 million for the right-back. Despite having one of the best defensive setups in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta is still looking to bolster his defensive department with more options.

While selling Kounde would mean parting ways with one of their best players, Barcelona could be forced into considering deals for the France international. La Blaugrana are still undergoing financial struggles and such a tangible amount could come handy for the club.

Kounde's ability to operate as a centre-back or in the right-back position makes him a potential valuable asset for the Gunners. Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly also interested in the former Sevilla star. However, the north London club's willingness to pay a higher fee could see them win the race for his signature.

Arsenal ready to sell Reiss Nelson next summer - Reports

According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are open to permanently offloading Reiss Nelson in 2025. The England international is currently on loan at Fulham, a move which facilitated after his failure to land regular football at the Emirates.

Nelson, 25, is contracted to the Gunners until next summer but the club are reportedly not keen on offering him a new contract. The right-winger is a graduate of the club's academy and made his first-team debut during the 2017-18 season, aged 17.

However, he has failed to land a first-team role, going on three loan spells since then. Injuries have also hampered his progression at Arsenal, limiting him to 90 appearances in which he has registered eight goals and nine assists.

Nelson is currently out with a hamstring and is not expected back until February 2025. He has contributed two goals and an assist in 13 matches across competitions for Fulham this season.