Barcelona are reportedly monitoring developments surrounding Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde ahead of this summer’s transfer window.

The France international has been a standout performer for the Andalusian outfit this season, helping the club keep 17 clean sheets in 35 games across all competitions.

According to Sport, the Blaugrana head coach Xavi is an admirer of the 23-year-old defender and he is keen to lure him to Camp Nou.

The report goes on to claim that Xavi is aware of Kounde’s whooping asking price, believed to be £68.7m, which the Catalan giants would be unable to afford amid their financial difficulties.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid as well as many English clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are also thought to be weighing up move for the centre-back, who has a contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium until June 2024.