City Join Four Rivals in Tracking Barcelona Defender Jules Kounde
Manchester City are keeping tabs on Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, according to reports in the Catalan media. The France international has found minutes hard to come by this season.
Kounde has started just one league game under head coach Hansi Flick, who has preferred Eric Garcia for the majority of fixtures. That lack of action has alerted several English clubs, with City among the interested parties.
Sport reports that it would take a very high offer to tempt the La Liga champions into selling. Barcelona are not actively looking to offload the 27-year-old, who still has just under four years left on his contract.
Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are also believed to be monitoring the situation. That is a lot of heavyweight attention for a player who cannot get a game.
Kounde is said to be remaining patient as he tries to win his place back from Garcia. If his minutes do not increase, there is a chance he may look to force a move in the New Year.
For City, the appeal is obvious. Right-back has been a problem position since Kyle Walker's departure. Matheus Nunes has held down the role since Enzo Maresca's appointment, but the Portuguese international has never been viewed as a long-term fix.
Kounde began his career as a centre-back, though most of his Barcelona appearances have come at right-back. That versatility would tick a box for a squad that has lacked a settled option in that area.
Whether City firm up their interest remains to be seen. For now, they are one of several clubs watching a situation that could develop quickly if Kounde's game time does not improve.