Chelsea discover they may hold the key to PL star joining Barcelona

13 Oct 2026 10:06 BST
2 min read

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Barcelona are keen on Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro but would need to sell Jules Kounde first before making a move, according to reports.

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Porro only signed a new five-year contract with Spurs in June, before helping Spain win the 2026 World Cup a month later.

However, Spanish publication Diario AS claims Barcelona are admirers of the 27-year-old, who is reportedly open to returning to his homeland.

But the La Liga giants will only be able to fund a move by offloading the €50million-rated (£42.2m) Kounde, who is being loosely linked with Chelsea.

France international Kounde came close to joining the Blues from Sevilla in the summer of 2022 before he eventually moved to Barcelona.

He has gone on to win seven trophies with the Blaugrana including three league titles, while he has also recorded 11 goals and 22 assists.

Kounde, who has made more appearances (194) for Barcelona than any other French player in their history, is also reportedly wanted by Bayern Munich.

Chelsea are well-stocked at right-back/right wing-back

Chelsea meanwhile have Reece James, Malo Gusto and Marco Palestra as options in the area of the pitch where Kounde plies his trade.

The west London club have also used Pedro Neto as a right wing-back this season, with the Portugal international shining in his new role under Xabi Alonso.

Neto recorded an assist for Joao Pedro as Chelsea crushed Bournemouth 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday – their first league victory since August.

Porro, on the other hand, has endured an injury-ravaged start to the season, making just four appearances for Tottenham.

The former Manchester City defender has only made two starts so far – against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

After an initial loan spell, Porro joined Spurs on a permanent basis from Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the summer of 2023.

He has made 156 appearances for the north London club, registering 13 goals and 26 assists and winning the Europa League in 2024-25.

Pedro Porro 😲
@SpursOfficial | #UEL https://t.co/39hGeFQJE1
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) May 9, 2025

Tottenham return to action when they entertain Coventry City next Monday, while Chelsea travel to unbeaten Everton two days earlier.

Meanwhile, Kounde and Barcelona – who have won all nine of their games in 2026-27 – are preparing to lock horns with Galatasaray in the Champions League tonight.