Barcelona see French international as an option for the centre-back position next season

Barcelona see French international as an option for the centre-back position next season

class="wp-block-paragraph">Barcelona are in a tight spot when it comes to the transfer market. The club may have already roped in Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, but they need more reinforcements, especially in defence.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">However, the current market conditions, coupled with the dearth of a truly ideal and cost-effective option has only delayed the process.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">This has forced Barcelona to come up with internal solutions, and that is where things get interesting.

Jules Kounde to operate as a centre-back?Kounde could operate as centre-back next season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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class="wp-block-paragraph">According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick sees Jules Kounde as a potential option for the centre-back position next season.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Flick believes Kounde can be considered in his previous role next season, provided Barcelona face a shortage of centre-back.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">For now, the German coach is extremely happy with the performances of Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin, with Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen serving as additional backups.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Araujo’s future has been a bit murky, and if the Uruguayan international ends up leaving, Barcelona might be forced to look into the market. But if no ideal candidates come up, they see Kounde as the ideal internal replacement.

What about the right-back position?Eric Garcia is a strong option for the right-back position. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)

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class="wp-block-paragraph">The report adds that Eric Garcia is a strong option for the right-back position, in addition to Kounde himself.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">It appears the club have realised Kounde’s inconsistent form in the position last season and are ready to offer him a way back into his preferred centre-back role.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">Other than these two, Barcelona have Hector Fort and Xavi Espart as other potential solutions in the position.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">In that way, Barcelona are well covered in the right-back position, although coach Hansi Flick would have ideally liked to bring in a fresh face.

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class="wp-block-paragraph">The Catalans are actively trying to bring in Joao Cancelo on a permanent deal, but the Portuguese international will likely be an option on the left flank. He can still play as a right-back, nonetheless.