Koundé's Agent Meets Deco as Defender Loses Starting Spot at Barcelona

Jules Koundé is no longer an undisputed starter at FC Barcelona, and a quiet meeting between his agent and the Catalan club’s sporting leadership has been enough to reignite speculation about his future.

The French international started on the bench in three consecutive matches in September, before missing the Ligue des Champions clash against PSG — won 4-2 by the Parisians — due to a left ankle injury. That same injury is also expected to keep him out of the Clásico against Real Madrid scheduled for Sunday.

It was in this context that his agent, Jonathan Kebé, lunched Thursday with Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director. According to Spanish sports daily Sport, the meeting was “informal” and allowed the two men to exchange views on the player’s current situation. Koundé’s entourage, however, “categorically denied” that any offers or a sale were discussed during the lunch, and FC Barcelona has at no point indicated a desire to part with its fullback.

Still, Sport reports that Barcelona would remain quietly open to proposals that might reach Deco concerning the defender. A stance already observed during the last summer transfer window, without resulting in a transfer. Koundé, who arrived in Catalonia in 2022 after three seasons at Sevilla FC, is tied to the club until June 2030.

Formed at Girondins de Bordeaux before establishing himself in Spain, the 26-year-old defender had long been a cornerstone of the blaugrana setup. His loss of status in the starting lineup, combined with this injury at an inopportune moment, places his future in a new light — even if nothing so far suggests an imminent departure.