FC Barcelona have successfully secured the long-term future of their versatile star defender, Jules Koundé, with multiple reports confirming that a full agreement has been reached over a new contract.
This agreement comes after the French international snubbed recent interest from other top clubs, including an informal approach from Manchester City earlier this week. Instead of exploring a move away, Koundé has opted to commit his future to the Catalan giants.
According to the French outlet L’Équipe, Koundé has agreed to new five-year terms which will tie him to the La Liga champions until 2030. The deal is also said to include a significant salary increase for the 26-year-old defender.
The new contract puts an end to speculation surrounding his future, much of which revolved around the open secret that he would prefer to play at centre-back. Koundé has spent the vast majority of his three years at the club excelling in an unfavored right-back position, where he started 50 games last season, contributing four goals and eight assists.
Despite his positional preference, Koundé has never indicated a desire to leave Barcelona to fulfil his ambitions elsewhere. He reportedly still holds out hope of becoming a starting centre-back for the club in the future.
That wish could be granted if Barcelona can recruit a new specialist right-back, with Inter’s Denzel Dumfries remaining a long-term target, although a deal is not thought to be close at this stage.
This renewal is a massive boost for manager Hansi Flick, as it locks down a key, world-class defender for his prime years and provides crucial stability to the team’s backline for the foreseeable future.