Arsenal eye surprise move to sign Barcelona star - Reports

Arsenal are reportedly interested in acquiring the services of Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. According to a report from Fichajes, the Gunners are willing to offer €50 million for the French defender in the upcoming transfer window.

Arsenal already have a strong depth at the back, especially following the recent addition of Riccardo Calafiori. However, the uncertain futures of both Jakub Kiwior and Oleksandr Zinchenko mean that they will be keen to strengthen their defensive depth in the upcoming transfer window.

Kounde indeed perfectly fits Mikel Arteta’s preference for versatile defenders, as he can play both right-back and center-back. His addition would not only create competition for Ben White in the right-back position but also provide reliable cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the center of defense.

According to the aforementioned report, Arsenal may offer €50 million for the player. Despite Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick stating that Kounde is ‘non-transferable’, such a sum could ease Barcelona’s financial burden, as the club are in need of funds.

This could make the offer tempting for the board, and Arsenal are hopeful that Barcelona may reconsider their decision to retain the defender during the January transfer window.

However, while the Gunners are interested, Kounde has recently expressed his understanding of Flick’s methods and believes the club are heading in the right direction, which could likely influence him to remain in Spain.

"The team understands very well what the coach wants. There’s a new dynamic, his staff is on top of things and everyone does their job very well, starting with the strikers, who press very well. That gives us extra confidence and we all want to do it. That allows you to score goals and win games," he said (via Barca Universal).

Mikel Arteta confident last season’s experience will benefit Arsenal in Champions League campaign

Arsenal have made a strong start to the season, winning three of their first four matches, including a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur last weekend. They are set to play their opening Champions League tie against Atalanta, a game expected to be challenging given the quality of the Italian side.

Last season served as a learning curve for the Gunners, who were knocked out in the Champions League quarter-finals by Bayern Munich. Arteta believes that experience will benefit his young team this season, helping them go further.

"It was a great campaign for us. We got to a place that we hadn’t been as a club for 16 or 18 years. We weren’t happy or satisfied at all because we want more. They showed their hunger. I think we have the ability, we certainly have the quality - and now we have to prove it," he said (via the club's official website).

After the game against Atalanta, Arsenal will face their toughest test yet, with a trip to the Etihad Stadium to play Manchester City on Sunday, September 22.