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Barcelona have reportedly not dismissed the possibility of selling Jules Kounde, especially if the widely-known three-way interest from Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City materializes into a bid that approaches the club's high asking price.
Kounde is undeniably a coveted player. Regarded by many as one of the finest right backs on the planet, the French international is equally comfortable playing centrally in defense. Despite signing a contract extension through 2030 as recently as last summer, the list of clubs chasing Kounde has only continued to grow.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City are all said to be interested in the 27-year-old, according to Mundo Deportivo. City's pursuit is particularly well documented.
Pep Guardiola's side "asked us if Kounde was available," Barça sporting director Deco disclosed last summer. The answer at that point was unambiguous: "No." This new report, however, suggests that position may have softened.
How Barcelona Could Be Tempted to Sell Kounde
When Kounde is available, he is a guaranteed starter under Hansi Flick. The dynamic fullback appeared in 25 of La Liga's opening 26 fixtures before suffering a muscular injury that ruled him out for the entire month of March.
However, tactical considerations are not the only factor for a financially stretched club like Barcelona. Mundo Deportivo reports that should Kounde be open to a move, the club could be compelled to let the Frenchman go if a bid in the vicinity of $92.3 million (€80 million) arrives.
Barcelona wouldn't be leaving Flick completely exposed. Eric García has shown he can fill in competently across multiple positions, including right back, while there is considerable excitement surrounding academy product Xavi Espart, who has made his senior bow during Kounde's recent spell on the sidelines. The Catalan club have also been linked with extending João Cancelo's time in Spain.
There is also the matter of transfer priorities. Barcelona are expected to focus on signing a striker and a center back this summer. The names being discussed won't come at a bargain price—particularly in the case of Julián Alvarez—and a significant windfall from a Kounde sale cannot simply be ignored.
Whether any of his Premier League admirers would be prepared to meet such a fee, however, remains to be seen.
Which of Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City Need Kounde Most?
City's attempts to land a right back last summer came to nothing. Matheus Nunes has silenced Guardiola's pointed remarks about his suitability for midfield by thriving as an attacking fullback this season, yet there remains a gap in City's squad for a natural specialist in that role.
Chelsea and Liverpool both possess quality right backs, but keeping them on the field has proven to be a persistent challenge.
Reece James reaffirmed his dedication to the Blues by signing a fresh contract extension, only to then fall victim to the kind of hamstring problem that has repeatedly derailed his career. Malo Gusto has stepped up as a reliable stand-in and is considerably more durable.
Arne Slot would look upon Chelsea's right back woes with some sympathy. Liverpool's head coach has spent a significant portion of the season without both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley, routinely deploying midfielders such as Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones in defensive roles. Frimpong has once again succumbed to injury.
Liverpool were so alarmed by their vulnerability in that area that they explored an emergency short-term loan for Lutsharel Geertruida in January. Had complications surrounding his loan arrangement at Sunderland from RB Leipzig not intervened, Slot would have been reunited with his former Feyenoord fullback. Whether he will get the opportunity to work with Kounde this summer is an entirely different question.