Pep Guardiola has set his sights on Jules Koundé. The Manchester City manager wants to strengthen his defense with the French footballer from FC Barcelona, as reported by journalist Fabrice Hawkins from "RMC Sport". The English team's interest is real and there have been informal contacts to explore his signing, but the outcome has been clear... Barça doesn't want to negotiate and Koundé doesn't want to leave either.
Jules Koundé only thinks about Barça
At 26, Jules Koundé has had one of his most solid seasons at Camp Nou. Under Hansi Flick's leadership, the defender has shown his versatility by playing both as a right-back and in his theoretical natural position as a center-back. In total, he has played 53 official matches this season, with remarkable numbers for a defender: 4 goals and 8 assists. He is, without a doubt, an untouchable piece in the new coach's plans.
Guardiola especially values his ability to play out from the back, his defensive aggressiveness, and his tactical versatility, aspects that would fit perfectly into Manchester City's system. The Catalan is looking for a top-level reinforcement for his backline, and Koundé fits perfectly into his idea. But the wall he has encountered has been insurmountable.
Door slammed on Guardiola
Barça has been emphatic: he's not for sale. The club considers Koundé a cornerstone of Flick's new sports project. In fact, according to reports, the sports management is already working on an improvement and extension of his current contract, which expires in 2027. The club's intention is to secure him until 2031, convinced that the player hasn't reached his ceiling yet and can lead Barcelona's defense for many more years.
From Jules Koundé's camp, the response has been just as firm. The player himself has made it clear that he has no intention of moving on. He feels valued and trusts the project. After a difficult first year due to rotations and lack of continuity, the French international has found his place in the team and doesn't want anything to take him away from it. Manchester City has now tried, but has encountered a unanimous rejection.
Neither Barça nor Koundé want to listen to proposals from Manchester City, no matter how tempting they may seem from England. Guardiola will have to look elsewhere. The French international, meanwhile, is preparing to start the new season with clear objectives: to establish himself as the leader of the culé backline and continue growing under Flick's leadership.