Barcelona open to selling struggling defender as he begins distancing himself from dressing room | Barca Universal

Kounde did not travel with Barcelona to Valencia for the final La Liga match of the season, missing the team’s last game. Eric Garcia started at right-back in his place, with Xavi Espart making a second-half cameo. Kounde’s season is described as a decline, with concerns about both on-field performance and off-field behavior, including leaving early after a celebratory dinner. Club internal sources deny knowledge of any reason for him distancing himself from the team. Kounde and his agent insist he wants to stay in Catalonia and defend Barcelona’s crest, but his enthusiasm is portrayed as depleted. Flick has reportedly preferred Eric Garcia and even Ronald Araujo at right-back, and Kounde has been linked with Premier League interest. Barcelona may consider selling if an appropriate offer arrives, especially with economic constraints and the priority of signing Joao Cancelo.

"Jules Kounde did not travel with Barcelona to Valencia for last night's clash in La Liga and thus missed the team's final game of the season. Eric Garcia started at right-back in his place, with Xavi Espart coming on for a second-half cameo, and the development only adds weight to the worry around the Frenchman's performances. Kounde, after all, has been on an undeniable decline all season and has looked dull both on the field and off the field. In fact, he was the first to leave even after the team's celebratory dinner earlier in the week."

"As reported by SPORT in a recent update, internal sources in the club deny knowledge of any reason for the player to distance himself from the team and the dynamics, and his decline on the field and poor performance off it continue to raise concern. Kounde and his agent insist that the player does not wish to leave Barcelona and that the idea is to stay in Catalonia and defend the club's crest. The enthusiasm, however, is clearly being depleted from the player."

"The 2025-26 season was a dull one for Kounde in general and he barely had any memorable moments. From being an undisputed starter last year and scoring the winning Copa del Rey goal to the dull and indifferent figure he is now, the change has been radical. In fact, his place on the pecking order is also reflecting the clear change with Flick preferring Eric Garcia and even Ronald Araujo at right-back in recent games. Such a situation was difficult to imagine a few months ago."

"While Kounde and his entourage insist that there is no intention of leaving from the player's side, his name has been linked with the Premier League in recent times and there is no denying that there is interest in his signing from England. With Joao Cancelo's signing becoming a priority for Barcelona, it cannot thus be ruled out that Barcelona consider selling Kounde should the right offer arrive. The current economic situation is still not completely fav"

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