FC Barcelona - Barca - FCB
As per latest transfer news, Bayern Munich are not planning a January move for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde. Chelsea have been linked with the France international, and Xabi Alonso reportedly wants more depth at right-back.
Why Bayern are not chasing Kounde
As reported by TEAMtalk, Bayern have no plans to move for Kounde in January. Bild journalist Christian Falk said the rumours from Germany last week were false. Bayern tried to sign the defender before he joined Barcelona. That contradicts a recent report from Spanish outlet Sport, which claimed Bayern were a rival for Chelsea.
Price is a big reason for Bayern’s caution. The journalist believes a deal would need between €80m and €90m, or about £67.6m to £76.1m. Bayern Munich will not spend that much on a defender mid-season, he says. Other outlets value Kounde lower, at around €50m to €60m. That higher range is only his view of what Bayern would refuse to pay.
Konrad Laimer is the reason Bayern feel settled on the right side of defence. The Austrian impressed against Viking on Tuesday. He set up Luis Diaz for a goal that put Bayern 3-2 ahead. Viking later equalized to draw 3-3.
Kounde’s 2026/27 stats for Barcelona so far, as per FOTMOB:
Competition Matches Clean sheets Defensive contributions Duels won(%) Chances created
La Liga 5 1 11 60.7% 4
Champions League 2 0 7 33.3% 0
What draws Chelsea to Jules Kounde
TEAMtalk reporter Graeme Bailey wrote on 30 September that Chelsea want Kounde in January. He added that Alonso wants more depth at right-back. Chelsea are not alone, though, because Spanish media say five Premier League clubs are watching Kounde’s situation.
Kounde has history with Chelsea, who came close to signing him in 2022 before he joined Barcelona. Bailey’s sources say he still likes the thought of a move to Stamford Bridge. He is not known to be pushing for an exit, so his wishes are not clear. The Blues are also reviewing the long-term role of Malo Gusto. Jules Kounde could take over that spot in time.
Manager Hansi Flick has favoured Eric Garcia ahead of Kounde at right-back this season. Kounde still scored late in Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Getafe, their eighth league win from eight. Bailey adds that the club told his camp that a sale could happen in January or in 2027. No formal offers have arrived and Barcelona have no interest in selling at any price.
FC Barcelona - Barca - FCB
How Kounde could fit the tactics
Kounde can play at right-back or on the right side of a back three. He starred as a centre-back at Sevilla before settling at right-back for Barcelona. That suits Alonso, who used three centre-backs and attacking wing-backs at Leverkusen. At Chelsea, Alonso has used a 3-4-2-1, so Kounde could fill the wide centre-back spot on the right. His passing from deep would also help Chelsea build play against a high press.
Moving to the Premier League would be a new test, but his record is strong. At 27, he has almost 200 Barcelona appearances, more than any other French player in the club’s history. He has won three La Liga titles in four years and earned over 50 caps for France. That is a lot of top-level football for a player still in his prime.
His contract runs to 2030, so Barcelona do not need to sell. Chelsea may face fewer rivals if Bayern stay away, but no agreement looks close. The next clear sign will be a formal offer, since none has reportedly reached Barcelona yet.
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