Koundé to become Barça’s new centre-back. Transfer fee: €0

Barcelona have found a way to strengthen their central defence without spending any money: move a player who is already at the club. According to Fernando Polo of Mundo Deportivo, Barça are not currently planning to sign a centre-back. If Ronald Araujo leaves and the market fails to provide a reliable replacement, Jules Koundé could return to his natural position.

The Frenchman arrived from Sevilla in 2022 as a centre-back but was gradually turned into a full-time right-back. Barcelona can now present his return to the middle as a defensive upgrade. No transfer fee, no registration problems and no payment plan stretching into the next decade. Koundé also has recent experience there, having started seven of France’s eight matches at the World Cup.

Eric García, Héctor Fort and Xavi Espart would cover the right side, while Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Andreas Christensen and youngster Álvaro Cortés remain available in central defence. Barça certainly have plenty of names. Whether they have enough quality is a slightly less convenient question. The club may not sign a new centre-back. It may simply rediscover the one it bought four years ago.