Arsenal’s defensive gap drives Mikel Arteta’s hunt for Barcelona’s Jules Kounde

Mikel Arteta is keen to plug Arsenal’s defensive hole before the summer window shuts, and a Barcelona centre‑back is at the top of his list as the Gunners aim to replace the absent William Saliba. The Premier League champions also need depth on the right side of defence ahead of their title defence.

CommentsSportFasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter04:00, 13 Aug reported the story, with ImagesMikel and Carlos Jasso/AFP providing the photo. Arsenal missed out on Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian signed a contract extension with Real Madrid, but the Gunners secured his international teammate Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in a £75million deal.

Targeting a Barcelona defender

Arsenal have been hunting defensive reinforcements, yet William Saliba’s absence for "an extended period" leaves Arteta without one of his best centre‑backs. The club now focus on Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, a 27‑year‑old France international who can also cover the right side of defence. Kounde, who moved from Sevilla to full‑back at Barcelona, is seen as a cheaper alternative to Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa, valued at £60million.

Sport Kounde has already reported for pre‑season training in Spain and played a key role in Barcelona’s back‑to‑back title triumphs, adding experience to Arsenal’s back line.

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Upcoming fixtures and next steps

The Premier League champions begin their title defence in eight days against Coventry City, but first face Manchester City on Sunday in the Community Shield. These early tests underscore the urgency of bolstering the defence before the season kicks off.

Arsenal have also been linked with Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, whose agent Eric Depolo said the player is a €100million (£85m) talent. Depolo added that "He is a €100million (£85m) player. With Kofane, Arsenal will have a top striker for the next 10 years."

Arsenal's pursuit of Kounde will hinge on negotiating a fee lower than Konsa’s valuation and on Saliba’s recovery timeline. If the deal materialises, the Gunners will have a versatile defender ready for the season, while the club continues to monitor other targets.

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ARSENAL fans can follow updates on the club’s official channels, where Images and Champions‑related content from Jasso will be shared as negotiations progress.