The drama revolving around Jules Kounde´s registration seems to have ended after Barcelona´s latest transfer move has finally allowed the club to add the French International to their LaLiga squad.
Jules Kounde is very close to making his official FC Barcelona debut. Los Blaugranas have made space for the French defender after Samuel Umtiti´s loan move to U.S. Lecce, which has helped the club liberate a small amount of their fixed wage bill that seems to be enough for Jules Kounde to be available for Xavi this weekend. In addition, Barca has been able to register their young and promising signing, Pablo Torre, into their B team, which has helped in the case of Jules Kounde.
La Liga will allow Barcelona to register Jules Koundé ahead of their match on Sunday vs. Valladolid without having to sell any players, reports @gerardromero pic.twitter.com/rUFoHwp4yv
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 26, 2022
The 23-year-old centre-back is the only signing of this transfer window not to be registered. Andreas Christensen, Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Franck Kessie have all made their debuts in LaLiga since they arrived at the Camp Nou. Everyone except Kounde, whose absence from the squad in Barcelona´s first two games has frustrated Xavi.
"¨ I’m upset that we did not count on Kounde. The truth is that Mateu is doing an excellent job though. He’s the first one that knows that we need to count on him as soon as possible. Kounde is training very well and he understands our difficulties. Let’s hope we can play him next week.¨Xavi to Movistar after 1-4 win against Sociedad"
Everything seems to be going in the right direction, as Kounde is expected to make his debut this weekend at home against Real Valladolid. Xavi and the Barcelona board can finally put this situation behind them, as they will be able to count on a world-class defender to improve a Barcelona back four that has massively struggled in the past couple of games against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad.
Now it is Offical. Welcome to Barcelona, Jules!