Barcelona star valued between €55-€60 million wanted by Aston Villa, Unai Emery and Monchi approve transfer: Reports

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in roping in Barcelona defender Jules Kounde with Villans manager Unai Emery and sporting director Monchi in favor of a deal.

Kounde, 25, has proved to be a crucial starter for the Blaugrana since arriving from Sevilla in a potential €55 million move in the summer of 2022. He has helped them lift a La Liga title and a Supercopa de Espana trophy, featuring in 82 overall games in the process.

However, the Girondins de Bordeaux youth product's future at the La Liga giants is said to be up in the air. He has reportedly been identified as a potential sale in light of Barcelona's ongoing financial problems.

Now, according to Spanish news outlet Todofichajes, Aston Villa have emerged as a potential future destination for Kounde. While Emery is keen to add the defender to his ranks, ex-Sevilla man Monchi is said to be willing to hand the star a pay rise to facilitate a move.

Kounde, who is allegedly valued between €55-€60 million, will next be in action for Barcelona in their encounter against Valencia on April 29.

Ex-Barcelona star Jari Litmanen hails Xavi

Following Xavi Hernandez's decision to stay at his club, former Ajax and Barcelona star Jari Litmanen has heaped praise on the Spanish manager. He said (h/t Mundo Deportivo):

"Xavi has done very well with Barça. The results are good [and] last year, they were [La Liga] champions. This year, I have watched many games on television and although they have not emerged as champions, they have played well."

Opining on his former club's Champions League exit, Litmanen added:

"The first game against [Paris Saint-Germain] PSG was very good and the second had different problems. It is football – one game is played better, another less so. But if we talk about the last eight teams in the Champions League, they all have quality."

Highlighting Xavi's work of creating a balanced team, Litmanen said:

"I like the way they play, I like the work that Xavi has done. There are younger players, but there are also experienced players like [Ilkay] Gundogan, [Robert] Lewandowski, or [Andreas] Christensen. It is important to do a mix of the two. It is not possible with experience alone, just as you cannot win with the youngest players."

Barcelona, who won the La Liga title with 88 points past campaign, are third in the 2023-24 league table with 70 points from 32 games so far.

Xavi, on the other hand, has guided the Catalan giants to 29 victories, eight draws, and nine defeats in 46 overall matches this campaign.