Barcelona are reported to be open to selling Jules Kounde should offers approach the club’s valuation, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City credited with interest by Mundo Deportivo. The 27-year-old has been linked to the three Premier League sides and City’s pursuit is described as particularly well established.

Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, revealed last summer that Pep Guardiola’s side “asked us if Kounde was available,” and the club’s response at that time was simple: “No.” The latest coverage suggests Barcelona’s position may have shifted as they weigh financial priorities.

When fit, Kounde is a regular under Hansi Flick. The quick fullback started 25 of La Liga’s first 26 matches this season before a muscular injury forced him to miss the entirety of March. Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona, in need of funds, would consider any bid in the region of $92.3 million (€80 million).

Selling Kounde would not leave Flick without options. Eric García has provided versatile cover across the backline, including at right back, while Masia graduate Xavi Espart earned his senior debut during Kounde’s absence. João Cancelo’s continued presence in Spain has also been mooted as a way to mitigate the loss of Kounde.

Barcelona are widely expected to prioritise signings of a striker and a centre back this summer. Targets mentioned publicly are likely to command significant fees, with the acquisition of Julián Alvarez noted as an example of the cost involved. That context helps explain why a substantial offer for Kounde would be difficult for Barcelona to ignore.

From the English perspective, Manchester City’s search for a right back last summer was fruitless. Matheus Nunes has adapted from a midfield reputation—having shrugged off Guardiola’s barb about a lack of intelligence to play in midfield—to flourish as an overlapping fullback this season, but City could still seek a more orthodox right back.

Chelsea and Liverpool possess quality options at right back, but selection can be complicated. Reece James has rammed home his committment to the Blues with a recent contract extension only to then succumb to the sort of hamstring injury which has plagued so much of his career. Malo Gusto serves as a suitable deputy and is far less prone to fitness lapses.

Whether any Premier League suitor will meet Barcelona’s reported valuation remains to be seen.

Sergio Agüero has been forced to suspend his post-retirement senior appearances after sustaining a serious Achilles injury in an over-35 fixture. The 37-year-old was injured during a clash against River Plate in Argentina’s +35 Senior League Cup. His side went on to win 2–0, but Agüero had to leave the field after suffering what was described as a “heavy blow” to his left ankle.

Teammates and opponents helped Agüero from the pitch. He later posted a video to his Instagram story to explain the diagnosis. “I had an MRI and it was confirmed that I tore my [Achilles] tendon,” he Agüero revealed. “Tomorrow, I will start the tests and I will have to have surgery. There’s no other option. I want to thank all the boys from Independiente and also those from River who were worried.”

Following the operation, Agüero shared a smiling picture from his hospital bed. The injury now places his involvement in senior football on indefinite hold as he begins rehabilitation.

Since retiring from elite-level play, Agüero has remained active in alternative competitions. He has taken part in the Kings League, appearing on court in Spain in 2023, and his KRÜ FC team is competing in Kings League Mexico in 2026. Those appearances formed part of his attempt to return to the pitch in a different capacity.

Returning to full-sided matches for the club he supported as a child had been a clear ambition. Agüero left Independiente to join Atlético Madrid at the age of 18 and had always hoped to make a comeback there. A heart problem discovered when he was 33 curtailed plans that may otherwise have allowed him to extend his playing career beyond a two-year contract at Barcelona, so the chance to play in veterans’ fixtures carried personal significance. Playing veterans’ matches “isn’t quite the same,” but it helped make that dream a reality. Only days before rupturing his Achilles, he said: “I’m going to be around here, so I hope to keep adding games.”

A string of interconnected approaches and proposed swaps has shaped the latest transfer chatter. Newcastle United’s high asking price for midfielder Sandro Tonali has narrowed his most likely destinations to Arsenal or Man City rather than a return to Serie A. Should Newcastle move Tonali on, the club could switch focus to Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram.

Thuram is already attracting attention elsewhere: Manchester United have made preliminary enquiries about his cost, and Liverpool are also reported admirers. Juventus remain active on the market too, with interest in Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte and plans to watch him when he appears at their Allianz Stadium.

Fullbacks and wide options are prominent in the speculation. Liverpool are said to lead the chase for Inter right back Denzel Dumfries ahead of Man City and Man Utd. Sporting CP left back Maxi Araujo is emerging as a target for Manchester United, with Chelsea and Tottenham also linked. Alejandro Balde has made it clear he has no desire to leave Camp Nou despite reported Premier League interest.

Chelsea and Barcelona are linked in potential creative swaps. Chelsea would reportedly accept $80.5 million for Enzo Fernández if a deal included Gavi. Cole Palmer has been linked with an exit from Chelsea, and Man Utd are “actively exploring” his signing, though Chelsea’s asking price could reach $199 million.

Inter’s possible sale of Alessandro Bastoni would trigger defensive targets, with Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal identified as a top option and Barcelona being offered swap permutations involving Dani Olmo or Ferran Torres. Barcelona are also reportedly willing to offer Frenkie de Jong to Bayern Munich in an attempt to bring Harry Kane to Catalonia.

Other notes include Aston Villa’s interest in a permanent move for on-loan Jadon Sancho amid Borussia Dortmund competition, West Ham targeting Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix García, and both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain considering moves for Mohamed Salah when he departs Anfield.