The summer transfer window is in full swing for FC Bayern Munich, who have already fortified their defensive lineup with the addition of Nathaniel Brown. The club has also secured Ismael Saibari from PSV Eindhoven, a player who had an impressive performance in the World Cup with Morocco. Collectively, these two transfers have amounted to over €110 million, but it appears that Bayern is not done yet, as they may have their sights set on another high-profile defensive player from France.
Recent reports from Bild journalist Christian Falk on the podcast 'Bayern Insider' indicate that Bayern has been monitoring Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona for several years. Furthermore, agents representing the French international have reached out to various top European clubs to gauge their interest in him. However, it seems that Bayern does not currently have concrete plans to pursue a transfer for Kounde at this time. Falk suggests that the club would only consider making a move if Sacha Boey, currently a surplus player, departs this summer, thereby freeing up both financial resources and a roster spot for a right-back. As of now, no interested parties have emerged for Boey, who spent the second half of the previous season on loan at Galatasaray Istanbul, leaving the situation uncertain.
From a financial standpoint, securing Kounde would also be a monumental challenge. Reports from Teamtalk suggest that Barcelona is demanding a transfer fee exceeding €50 million, in addition to Kounde's annual salary of around €12 million. Given that Konrad Laimer is already a mainstay on the right side of defense, it seems improbable that Bayern would invest such a significant amount in Kounde under current circumstances.
Kounde is under contract with Barcelona until 2030 and had stated as recently as June that he has no intentions of leaving. He has become an integral part of the team under former Bayern coach Hansi Flick, solidifying his position as a regular starter. Currently, the 27-year-old is showcasing his talent at the World Cup, where he has been a key player for the French national team, contributing to their advancement to the semifinals. On the national team, he plays alongside Bayern stars Dayot Upamecano and Michael Olise.
While it appears that Bayern is unlikely to make a serious bid for Kounde in the near future, there are notable developments regarding player departures. Recently, the transfer of Alexander Nübel to Istanbul was confirmed, and Joao Palhinha is also expected to leave the club, potentially bringing in a substantial transfer fee.
As reported by merkur.de.
