In what has been widely reported in recent weeks, Barcelona may well be on the verge of losing one of their key defenders during the summer. A player that Barca fought long and hard to acquire last summer and someone that has thus far been crucial in Xavi’s ideal system.
For some days now, there is indeed a ‘Koundé case‘ inside the Catalan club as the Frenchman is reportedly not satisfied with his role in the team and is open to listening to offers in the summer. The sporting discontent was known from the club’s side, but initially, it was believed to be a redressable situation. Now, with the interest of Manchester United and Chelsea, it can clearly change the scenario.
However, as per SPORT, Barcelona have already made it clear to the Kounde’s entourage that they are not willing to sell the player unless a huge offer arrives, and the club will open the doors only for offers starting at €75 million.
Koundé arrived at Camp Nou last summer, as a strategic signing of the Blaugrana to strengthen the backline of the team. The club had to fight until the last moment with the same Chelsea for the Frenchman’s signature, but owing to the player’s insistence on joining the Catalan giants instead of the London outfit, Barcelona managed to acquire his playing rights for around €55 million.
Knowing Koundé’s determination that, ultimately, made the move possible, it’s surprising to learn that only a year later, the Frenchman wants to leave the Catalan club.
What is known, though, that the player doesn’t feel comfortable in the team, where he plays as a right-back most of the time. Indeed, that is, hopefully, just a temporary solution and it was never the initial plan, but ended up as the standard setup for this season.
The former Sevilla man arrived with the promise of becoming the indispensable star of the defense, forming a fearless duo with Ronald Araújo in the heart of the defense. However, the arrival of Christensen disrupted the initial plans, and with his surprisingly eminent performances, monopolized the position, while Koundé was rather placed on the right flank, into a position he is less familiar with.
It’s clear to him that next season could be even tougher, with Iñigo Martínez’s arrival to the Blaugrana already confirmed. If we add this to the fact that Manchester United and Chelsea are pushing for his signature, the situation has ended up exploding.
At the end of the day, Barcelona need to sell before June 30 and this sudden option to sell Koundé may bring enough money to the house, meaning the continuity of others.
Anyhow, the club is not in a rush because the sports area understands that Koundé is the stereotype of the modern central defender. They understand that the Frenchman didn’t have a good year due to the difficulty of adapting, but they see a great future for him anyway. Thus, even if the player is unhappy, the club won’t undersell for a price way under the real value of the footballer.
The club wants to keep Koundé and the idea is to stop his departure unless United or Chelsea end up paying stratospheric amounts. And, as both clubs are looking for a right-footed central defender and have the financial background, it is likely to happen.
At the moment, there is no official offer on the table, but the player’s environment suggested that it may take place after the conclusion of the ongoing season.
Barcelona are interested in this issue being clarified as soon as possible because it is vital to close one or two big-money sales before June 30 in order to create a margin for next season’s reinforcements. Also, the club will have to sign someone in the defensive department if Koundé ends up leaving, which would remain significantly weakened after the Frenchman’s departure.
