Mercato: Jules Koundé displays his ambition at Barça, and hopes to go "as high as possible"

His transfer was one of the soap operas of the summer, but the wait is over.

Jules Koundé was officially presented this Monday by FC Barcelona, ​​​​and did not hide his ambition.

"We will go as high as possible," said the central defender, who dreamed of joining Barça, despite strong interest from Chelsea.

According to the Spanish press, the Catalans paid 50 million euros, with 10 million in bonuses, to recruit the former Girondin.

💙❤ Jules Kounde, presented in his new colors.

Force Barca!

pic.twitter.com/F15KREwvgu

— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_fra) August 1, 2022

"It's true that I had another offer.

But I waited for Barça to come to an agreement with Sevilla.

It was not a big effort, because I wanted to come here”, explained the French international, who signs with the club for 5 years.

“I come with ambition”

“I am very happy, very proud.

I am coming to a big club, an ambitious club, and I too am coming with ambition", assured Jules Koundé at the training center of the Catalan club, he who intends to rely on his "knowledge of the Liga to facilitate (his) adaptation”, after 133 games with Sevilla.

In contact with coach Xavi for many weeks, he was one of the Catalan club's priority targets for this summer transfer window.

“The conversations were very fluid.

From the beginning, I felt the kindness of the coach, I felt that he wanted me to come.

It was one of the keys, because it's one of the most important steps in my career, "said the defender, aware of the importance of his choice a few months before the World Cup in Qatar.

The first balls of @jkeey4 in the Barça jersey 😍 pic.twitter.com/t8LXZqBDaQ

— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_fra) August 1, 2022

The Frenchman, sitting alongside President Joan Laporta, arrives at a club with competition, even if it does not "concern" him.

In his post, he joins Gerard Pique, Ronald Araujo, Éric Garcia, and rookie Andreas Christensen.