Jules Kounde has claimed that he is one of the leaders in the Barcelona dressing which is a clear hint that the La Liga side won’t look to sell him this summer.
Kounde is one of the many players whose names have been mentioned in the media as possible summer exits due to Barcelona’s poor financial condition. There are reports that Deco and Co. will have to get rid of some of their high-value players if they wish to sign new players before the 24/25 season begins.
Jules Kounde is primarily a centre-back but this season, he has played as many as 27 games at right-back which has led to many rumours suggesting that he is not an integral part of the squad. However, the 25-year-old has made his importance known in a recent interview.
“I am one of Barça’s key players, one of the leaders of the dressing room and, above all, I am a reliable player,” he has said.[h/t SPORT]
“That’s perhaps one of the things I’m most proud of. This season, apart from the time that Gavi injured my knee when I accidentally crashed, I haven’t had a single physical problem to complain about.”
Is Jules Kounde heading to the English Premier League?
Chelsea had tried to lans Kounde before he joined Barcelona and the Blues are still interested in the defender along with Manchester United who are prioritising the signing of at least two central defenders this summer.
Apart from these two English clubs, Saudi side Al-Ittihad have also been linked with the defender in recent weeks.
Under normal circumstances, Barcelona will not want to sell the French defender because he joined the Catalans just two years ago and to date, he’s just played 88 games across all competitions for the club.
Having said that, Barca have as many as eight central defenders in the form of Ronald Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Kounde, Andreas Christensen, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Clement Lenglet and Mika Faye. Garcia and Lenglet are the ones who will be returning from loan spells and it’s almost certain that Barcelona will be able to generate at least €80-90 million from their defenders alone.
Jules Kounde is valued at €45 million but with three more years remaining on his contract, Barca should be able to quote around €60-65 million. And the fact that the club needs to bring in at least €100 million, this amount will be pure gold for the club’s management.
Christensen, Araujo and Jules Kounde are the three senior pros in the squad and we think at least one of them will be sold in the coming months.
Man United and Chelsea have the finances to see such a deal through but it’s Al-Ittihad who can come in and sign Kounde without too much resistance from Barcelona. If the 25-year-old has to leave Spain then a move to the EPL will be the next logical step but in the previous two years several major players have chosen to join a Saudi Pro League side due to the lucrative salary and it won’t be a surprise if the Barca defender walks in those steps as well.
It’s very clear that Jules Kounde is not ready to leave Barca this summer but the Catalans need to generate crazy amounts of money and that will force them to cash in on big-name players, even if Hansi Flick sees them as part of his long-term plans.
