He was the last in line, the last to arrive. Jules Koundé had to arm himself with patience and wait for Barça to solve their problems with LaLiga when registering the players, but he will finally be able to make his debut in an official match. He will have the first opportunity this Sunday against Valladolid at the Camp Nou (7:30 p.m.) and without the Blaugrana having to part with players.
The club’s efforts have had an effect and LaLiga will give the green light between today and tomorrow for the registration of the French central defender. After missing the first two days because Barça exceeded the salary limit required by the employers of Spanish football, the third time was the charm.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed to this newspaper that a series of factors have influenced the fact that Barça can now dispose of Koundé. In the first place, the departure of Samuel Umtiti to Lecce on loan would be one of the reasons they wield. In principle, Barça will assume a large part of the record and will receive money for the Frenchman based on a series of variables that must be met, but his departure frees up a portion of financial fair play.
The fact of not registering Pablo Torre also helps. The young footballer from Racing de Santander will not have a first team record and therefore his salary will not be included. Another cause would be the modification of the variables in the salary of a Blaugrana player, although the name is unknown (it would not necessarily be from the first football team, it could be from another section).
All this, added to the fact that Barça had some margin in the limit of the sports cost of the squad, allows what seemed impossible if the exit operation was not completed. Once Koundé is registered, Barça will not have the urgent need to sell, although it will surely try to place some players.
Xavi does not have Martin Braithwaite in attack, but it will be necessary to see what happens with the two forwards who were a foot and a half away from the club. The big question mark is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese fell on his feet at Barça and the Terrassa coach would like to continue counting on him. Chelsea was behind the striker and was in full negotiations with the Catalan club. There was talk of figures that would be around 20 million euros for a footballer who arrived at zero cost last winter market.
The departure or not of Aubameyang may condition the continuity of Memphis. He urged his departure but at the moment no accommodation is found for him. Only Juventus came close to signing him, although the negotiations broke down due to the Dutchman’s high financial claims, that he wanted to leave Barça as he arrived: free.
Be that as it may, if Barça still wants to strengthen itself on the wings, someone else will have to leave. The club had in mind to bring Marcos Alonso, from Chelsea, from the left, while different options have been tested on the right without having a firm candidate. The transfer of Sergiño Dest, a player who does not convince Xavi and who has a poster, would also facilitate more movements.
