Koundé does not convince Flick

Jules Koundé, a 27-year-old defender, could potentially leave FC Barcelona before the market closes if an offer that satisfies the club arrives. Hansi Flick has changed his role for this season: Eric García starts as the starting right-back, and the Frenchman will have more minutes as a center-back, a position where he also does not have a guaranteed spot in the starting eleven.

This change opens up a scenario that seemed challenging months ago. Catalunya Ràdio reports that Barcelona would be willing to consider an offer for Koundé during the last week of August. The player's contract runs until June 2030, with a market value estimated around €60-65 million.

Jules Koundé loses starting place under Hansi Flick

The main change is at right-back. Eric García has earned Hansi Flick's trust and is ahead of Koundé to occupy that position in the new season. The Catalan player himself confirmed during the preseason that the coach intends to primarily use him on the right side.

Koundé will now have more presence as a center-back, a position he is familiar with from his previous stages and where he already played during the Joan Gamper Trophy. However, this change does not guarantee him a starting position, as Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín are favored in the current planning.

The Frenchman goes from regularly occupying the right-back role to competing for minutes in two positions. Flick continues to rely on his ability to play both on the flanks and in the core, but the planned distribution of minutes is different from previous seasons.

FC Barcelona would consider an offer for Koundé

This new sports scenario has a direct consequence on the market. According to Catalunya Ràdio, FC Barcelona would consider selling Jules Koundé if they receive an appropriate offer during the last days of August.

With a contract until 2030, the club can engage in negotiations without contractual pressure. Koundé renewed his contract a year ago after establishing himself as one of the players with the most consistency in the squad, but his sporting situation has changed since then.

The defender arrived at Barcelona from Sevilla in 2022 and has surpassed 150 official matches in the blaugrana shirt. His development saw him move from a central position to right-back, where he played most of his minutes over the last LaLiga seasons.

Flick has now decided to revert him to his central profile and hand over the right-back position to Eric García. This decision increases the direct competition for Koundé, as he will have to compete for minutes with Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, and the other defensive alternatives in the squad.

The next step hinges on the market. While FC Barcelona does not need to part ways with Jules Koundé due to his contract, his new role allows for the consideration of a sale if a suitable offer matching his valuation emerges before the deadline. Without such a move, the Frenchman will begin LaLiga as an alternative for two defensive positions under Hansi Flick.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Koundé no convence a Flick