Barcelona satisfied with €50 million-rated defender, will only consider sale for very important offers

Overstocked with resources at centre-back, Barcelona see the department to be well-placed for a few big sales this summer considering the growing need to generate revenue.

Players who were initially considered untransferable, including Ronald Araujo, are no longer safe if reports are to be believed. The Uruguayan, in fact, could make a shock departure this summer should an optimal offer arrive.

Amidst the uncertainty around the centre-backs, news of Aston Villa’s interest in Jules Kounde has come to the fore. Fabrizio Romano, via The Daily Briefing, however, has come out to give his two cents on the matter and confirm the legitimacy of the links.

Barcelona are satisfied

According to the update provided by the Italian journalist, matters surrounding Kounde are silent as it stands. He further adds that he does not have any information of interest from the Premier League side.

As it stands, Barcelona are happy and satisfied with the Frenchman, his adaptation and his performances.

Only a very important, seemingly irresistible offer, can coerce the Catalans into selling him and there is no rumour of such an approach.

The former Sevilla star, after all, has been phenomenal for Barcelona at right-back in recent games.

Against Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr earlier this month, he dished out impressive performances to dominate the right flank and keep the wingers silent.

Ready to adapt

Kounde arrived at Barcelona as one of La Liga’s highest-rated centre-backs and a candidate to take over the mantle in the position.

Kounde and Barcelona happy with each other. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

His time under Xavi, however, has been largely dominated by performances at right-back, a decision Kounde was initially said to be unhappy about.

Speaking in a recent interview, the defender confirmed that he was never against playing in a different position and that, in fact, he enjoyed the challenge of adapting and playing in a novel niche.

“I never refused to play in any position. But sometimes that’s what people say. For me, it is not a problem.”

“That’s what excites me, always improving, being a better player. Playing on the wing allows me to do that, although as I always said, my favourite position is central defence,” he added.

Needless to say, Kounde’s ability and willingness to adapt is the secret behind his resurgence and improvement in recent weeks. Heading into next season, it is not completely ruled out that the makeshift accommodation be made permanent.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication