While Barcelona’s search for a right-back has been long and ongoing, Arsenal have only just begun their efforts to find a replacement for their injured Jurrien Timber. One player who has been linked with the role is Barcelona’s makeshift option, Jules Kounde.
Kounde spent most of last season at right-back, out of his preferred position of centre-back, and earlier in the summer there were reports that this could see him seek a move away.
Those reports have been shut down by Kounde himself, and he started the season against Getafe in central defense, but returned as a right-back against Cadiz the following week due to an injury to Ronald Araujo.
His good performances and young age have led Kounde to be valued by Arsenal, but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano does not believe a transfer can happen.
“Both Xavi and Kounde have always been very clear, they want to continue walking together at Barca, so at the moment the situation is calm,” Romano initially told Caught Offside.
Romano noted that even if there was a will, Arsenal would not complete the deal as Kounde would cost too much.
“In any case, Kounde would cost a lot of money; not a cheap deal at all. I am not aware of concrete contacts at this stage”, he concluded.
While Kounde may not yet consider leaving Barcelona over his positioning issue, it seems unlikely that he will go to another team that plans to play him at full-back.