Barcelona defender ‘fed up’, rift with club widening amid exit rumours

Barcelona’s long hunt for a young and quality centre-back option only ended last year with Jules Kounde’s arrival. The youngster was one of La Liga’s finest young talents and was seen as the perfect reinforcement for the team in transition.

Less than a year into his spell, Kounde has already won the Spanish League and the Supercopa de Espana with the Catalans. Yet, reports yesterday stated that he was open to leaving the club in the coming summer window.

According to an update from Toni Juanmarti, the situation around the Frenchman does not look promising. Less than 24 hours have passed since the sudden report broke, and the feeling is that the rift between Barcelona and Kounde has only widened in that gap. Sources in the dressing room confirm that the defender is fed up with his situation and talks of a transfer thus do not appear absurd anymore.

Xavi’s idea ahead of the 2022-23 campaign was to utilise Ronald Araujo and Kounde as his regular centre-backs with Andreas Christensen serving as an able backup. Yet, the lack of a quality right-back and the Danish defender’s impressive form have pushed Kounde into the right-back role.

The Frenchman’s market value has grown from last season and there are multiple teams from the Premier League maintaining a close eye on his situation. Needless to say, the idea of starting as a central defender for a top European club appeals to him.

Barcelona would make a profit if they sold the youngster this summer. Given his high ceiling and quality, however, letting go of him could prove to be costly in the long run.

Kounde did not participate in Barcelona’s defeat against Real Valladolid last night through muscular overload. It remains to be seen when he returns to the squad and if he plays any further role this season.