Jules Koundé has suffered a major setback at Barcelona after manager Hansi Flick informed him that he is no longer part of the starting XI, a decision that could prompt the French defender to leave the club before the summer transfer window closes.
According to Catalunya Ràdio, Flick notified the player that Éric García has become his first-choice right-back, while Koundé will shift back to center-back—though strictly as a backup rather than a starter.
The Frenchman is set to serve as depth behind Pau Cubarsí and Gerard Martín, who ended last season as the German coach’s preferred central defensive partnership, while Andreas Christensen also retains Flick’s trust as an additional central option.
Barcelona are not actively forcing Koundé out, but his future is no longer guaranteed. The club is prepared to consider selling him if a suitable financial offer arrives, particularly as the 27-year-old commands high market value and his departure could help fund the signing of a new left-footed central defender.
Flick’s shift on Koundé comes just days after pushing Alejandro Balde toward the exit door by dropping him for the Elche match and asking him to reconsider his position, despite the manager denying having explicitly told him to leave. Consequently, Flick could end up overseeing the departure of both former starting full-backs in a single transfer window.
Koundé and Balde join a list of potential departures that includes Marc Casadó and Héctor Fort after all three missed the trip to Elche. Spanish reports confirm that the latter two are entirely out of the club’s plans and have yet to be assigned squad numbers.
Koundé joined Barcelona from Sevilla in the summer of 2022 for €50 million plus €10 million in variables, making 186 appearances and scoring 10 goals. He featured in 53 matches during Flick’s first season (2024–2025) before seeing his game time drop to 45 appearances last season as he gradually surrendered his starting spot to Éric García.
