Jules Kounde’s situation at FC Barcelona has changed more quickly than many would have expected. For much of his time at the club, the French defender was viewed as one of the safest names in the back line. That certainty has faded. Physical problems, uneven form and stronger competition have altered his standing under Hansi Flick, while the club are now taking a closer look at what his role should be going forward.
According to [SPORT](https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/barca/encuentro-deco-agente-kounde-135675394), sporting director Deco met Kounde’s agent, Jonathan Kebe, for lunch in Barcelona this week. The meeting was described by the player’s camp as routine, with discussions centred on his recovery, current role and progress this season.
Kounde’s representatives insist that neither a sale nor possible offers were discussed. Barcelona, however, are understood to be keeping an open mind and while the club are not actively trying to move him on, a substantial proposal would reportedly be evaluated internally.
Koundé is contracted until 2030 and remains a valuable asset because of his ability to play both centrally and at right-back. But the situation is no longer as straightforward as it once was. His place is not guaranteed, and Xavi Espart’s recent performance against Paris Saint-Germain has only increased competition.
His immediate priority is fitness. Kounde remains a major doubt for the Clasico, and even if he returns quickly, reclaiming a starting role may take more than simply becoming available again and for Barcelona, this is where the decision becomes interesting.
Kounde is too good, too experienced and too versatile to be treated like a disposable squad player. At the same time, Barça should not ignore the financial logic if he continues to lose prominence and a major offer arrives. Keeping an expensive, high-value defender on the bench makes little sense if Flick clearly prefers other profiles.
The next few weeks should therefore be decisive and if Kounde responds and wins his place back, the transfer discussion disappears almost immediately. If not, Barcelona may have to accept that one of their most established defenders is moving from essential to expendable.
That would have seemed unthinkable not long ago but now, it is becoming a very real possibility that the Frenchman could be enjoying his Camp Nou swansong.