Barcelona have identified Jules Kounde as their leading option to move into central defence if Ronald Araujo leaves the club this summer.
Barcelona have identified Jules Kounde as their leading option to move into central defence if Ronald Araujo leaves the club this summer.
According to MD, the Catalan giants are not actively searching for another centre-back despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding Araujo’s future. Instead, head coach Hansi Flick is prepared to return Kounde to his natural position if needed.
The French international established himself as one of La Liga’s top defenders while playing centrally for Sevilla before joining Barcelona in 2022. Although he has spent most of his time at right-back under Flick, the club believe he can seamlessly switch back if circumstances require.
Barcelona are also comfortable with Eric Garcia filling in at right-back, while youngsters Hector Fort and Xavi Espart provide additional depth. In central defence, Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin and academy prospect Alvaro Cortes remain available.
For now, Barcelona are not planning to enter the transfer market for another defender, preferring internal solutions if Araujo departs.
Jack Grealish left out of Man City tour squad amid transfer and injury questions
Manchester City fly out to Asia on Tuesday for their pre-season tour but Jack Grealish is not among the travelling players.
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Jack Grealish is not part of the Manchester City squad travelling to Asia this week
Jack Grealish will not be part of the Manchester City squad for the pre-season tour in Asia.
The winger returned to pre-season training with the Blues last week but was working individually as he continues to recover from an injury picked up during his loan spell with Everton last term.
And that issue has been cited as a reason for the 30-year-old’s omission from the travelling City party for games against Inter Milan in Hong Kong and the K-League All-Stars and Atletico Madrid in South Korea.
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To get it, it’s a simple one-two punch.
Grealish has not played since January and his future at City remains in doubt with the expectation that he will leave the Etihad this summer as he heads into the final year of his contract. The winger posted images on social media on Tuesday of him in Mallorca and he has been on the Spanish island since Monday.
New boss Enzo Maresca spoke of his affection for the former Aston Villa man during his first press conference as City manager last week.
“At the moment, he’s here. He’s a Man City player,” Maresca said. “I always said the same. In any club I join, I like to know if there are players that belong to the club. It’s my duty to try to coach them. Jack is here. I have a good relation with Jack since I left. Also, we keep in touch, and the reason why is because he has a big heart and he’s a very good guy. So this is the reason why. And then we see what happens.”
