The transfer of Andrei Rațiu to FC Barcelona next summer seemed like a done deal between the two parties a few weeks ago.
However, things have taken a different turn in the meantime, and no concrete move has come from the Catalan side. They need to pay the sum of 25 million euros, which represents the buyout clause of the Romanian national right-back.
Barcelona seems to have put Rațiu's transfer on hold after qualifying for the Champions League semifinals, especially since the Romanian's recent performances in La Liga have not impressed anyone.
"Having already played 50 matches, with 4,171 minutes on the field, scoring 3 goals and providing 8 assists, Jules Kounde is untouchable. His significant involvement in the team and his indispensable nature hold a double meaning. On one hand, his importance indicates that the Catalan team is already working on extending his contract.
On the other hand, his intense playing time and the lack of confidence in his natural replacement, Hector Fort, have led Deco to already work on finding a right-back to compete with him," wrote onefootball.com.
Furthermore, the number 1 option to back up Kounde seems to no longer be Rațiu, but a German champion, namely Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong from Leverkusen, 24 years old, whom coach Flick knows well from his time in the Bundesliga as the coach of rival Bayern.
"Thus, the list includes names like Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen, 24 years old), who has full support from Flick, or Brazilians Vanderson (AS Monaco, 23) and Dodo (Fiorentina, 26), players who share the same agent. The last two players on Barcelona's radar are Spaniard Marc Pubill (Almeria, 21) and Dutchman Givairo Read (Feyenoord, 18)," the source added.
The Catalans are extremely pleased with Jules Kounde's performances in the right-back position and want to extend his contract, which expires in 2027.
D.A.