City seek elite edge with Koundé move

Livramento pursuit ends, focus shifts to Catalonia

According to Fabrice Hawkins, Manchester City had been targeting Tino Livramento from Newcastle United throughout the summer. However, the player’s imminent contract renewal with his club forced City to reconsider their transfer approach. In response, the City board, acting on Guardiola’s instructions, shifted their focus to a higher-profile target and made an enquiry regarding Jules Koundé’s availability at Barcelona.

Tailor-made for Guardiola’s system

Koundé’s disciplined performances at right-back, his calming presence in defence and reliable distribution make him a seamless fit for Guardiola’s position-based system. City are seeking a right-back who can carry the ball forward, stay composed under pressure, and operate both inside and out wide. Koundé, a top-class defender, offers all of these qualities in abundance.

The French international featured in 53 matches across all competitions for Barcelona during the 2024–2025 season, reaffirming his reliability. Beyond defence, he also made a noticeable impact in attack. Finishing the season with 4 goals and 8 assists, Koundé contributed with overlapping runs down the right, quality deliveries around the box, and refined technique in set plays. Defensively, he effectively neutralised opposing left-wingers in one-on-one situations, significantly curbing their attacking threats in several matches.

Barcelona unwilling to sell

Barcelona’s stance on the matter is clear: the club have no intention of offloading Jules Koundé. According to Sports Yahoo, the French defender remains a consistent performer in the backline, and the coaching staff are highly satisfied with his contributions.

Contract talks key to potential exit

The Catalan club have been in talks with the player over a new contract for weeks. According to BeSoccer, negotiations between Barcelona and Koundé have been ongoing, and both sides are hoping for a positive outcome. With his current deal running until 2027, this summer may prove decisive in shaping his future. If an agreement is not reached, Barcelona’s financial needs and search for economic balance could open the door to a potential sale.

Right-back emergency at City

Manchester City’s right-back options are currently stretched. Kyle Walker’s move to Burnley has left the position without a natural occupant. While Rico Lewis is a natural right-back, he has mostly been used as a left-back or in midfield. Stopgap options like Matheus Nunes and Manuel Akanji lack the natural attributes required for the position.

Guardiola requires a player who can distribute the ball effectively from the back and operate as an additional passing outlet by stepping into midfield when needed. Koundé could be a cornerstone of this system. His big-game experience should help him transition smoothly to the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League.

Could be the defining move of the summer

The right-back signing may be the most crucial and defining addition of Manchester City’s 2025 summer transfer window. With targeted reinforcements already made in midfield and at left-back, the missing link in Guardiola’s system is now clearly the right flank. The club have long been searching for an elite-level player who combines physical resilience with technical ability to influence the build-up play.

A player of Jules Koundé’s calibre, proven in La Liga and Europe, would enhance both squad depth and tactical cohesion. In opposition-based game planning, the right-back position often plays a dual role in both defensive depth and attacking width. Koundé is one of the few players capable of managing both responsibilities simultaneously.

Given the physical demands of the Premier League and the tactical variety of the Champions League, Koundé’s ability to perform at a high level across both arenas could give Manchester City a competitive edge. Moreover, his versatility as both a right-back and a centre-back offers Guardiola a valuable tactical flexibility, which is a hallmark of his squad-building philosophy.

In that light, signing Koundé could be more than just filling a positional gap. It might be the most strategic step towards preparing Manchester City for the 2025–2026 season at an elite level.