Palmeiras' Ivorian defender celebrates World Cup progress, watch | OneFootball

Center-back Koné, a native of Ivory Coast, is 18 years old and has a contract with Palmeiras until the end of 2028. Signed for the U-20 team, the defender has been training with the senior squad and is one of Palmeiras’ biggest prospects for the future.

Celebration at the Football Academy

From Ivory Coast, Koné watched his national team qualify for the next stage of the World Cup at the Football Academy. The player even joked that Ivory Coast will be the ‘champion’ of the international tournament.

With the best generation in its history, the Ivorian national team managed to advance from a group that included Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao.

Barcelona interest

NOSSO PALESTRA has learned that, to sign Koné, Palmeiras paid €350,000 (around R$2.2 million at the current exchange rate) to JEK FC of Ivory Coast. Now, the club will pay around €1.1 million (about R$7 million) to acquire another 20% of the defender’s rights.

The contract also includes a €1 million bonus if certain goals are met with Verdão’s senior team, such as appearances in matches.

Before arriving at Brazil’s Greatest Champion, the Ivory Coast youth international center-back received an official offer from Barcelona of Spain. The work and project presented by João Paulo Sampaio together with Didi Gualberto and FDD Sports, the company responsible for the player’s career, were crucial in bringing him to Brazil.

Koné is seen as Palmeiras’ next major sale in the near future. Barcelona remain interested in the defender, along with Premier League clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea, which have been monitoring him since his time playing in Africa.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.