Bayern Munich could make January move for Barcelona defender struggling for minutes
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Bayern Munich are continuing to monitor Jules Kounde’s situation at Barcelona and could explore a move for the French defender in January, according to SPORT.
The outlet mentions that the Bundesliga champions are assessing their defensive options after allowing Kim Min-jae to look for a new club.
A potential departure for the South Korean could create room for Bayern to invest in another centre-back, with Kounde emerging as an ambitious option.
The Frenchman is valued at Bayern for his ability to operate across the defensive line, something that could make him particularly attractive to Vincent Kompany’s side.
However, any move would depend heavily on Kounde’s situation at Barcelona over the coming months.
Bayern preparing for defensive changes
Bayern are already planning for the possibility of losing Kim Min-jae, with the defender understood to have a potential market value of around €40 million.
On that note, Tomas Araujo of Benfica is among the more realistic options being considered, with his price believed to be close to €35 million.
Kounde, though, would represent a more established and high-profile target because of his experience and versatility.
Bayern Munich are keeping an eye on Jules Kounde. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The French international can operate centrally or at right-back, giving Bayern the flexibility to strengthen more than one area with a single signing.
Indeed, there has been no contact between Bayern and Kounde at this stage, although the German club is understood to be aware of his situation.
Kounde’s situation could become decisive
Kounde signed a new contract with Barcelona that runs until 2030, but his role has become less secure this season.
The defender has started the campaign as a substitute at right-back, while Hansi Flick has increasingly looked at Eric Garcia as his preferred choice.
That is particularly notable because Kounde remains a regular starter for France in the same position.
For what it is worth, though, his reduced role at Barcelona was not entirely unexpected.
Kounde was already seeing his minutes managed towards the end of last season and understood that competition for places would become tougher.
Despite that, he chose to remain at Barcelona and fight for his position rather than seek a move elsewhere.
Kounde is now Flick’s second choice full-back. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The next few months could therefore determine whether that decision pays off.
If Kounde remains on the fringes of Flick’s preferred XI by January, the arrival of a major offer could force the player to consider his options.
Premier League clubs also monitoring Kounde
Notably, Bayern are not the only club keeping an eye on the situation.
Several Premier League sides are also understood to be monitoring Kounde’s development at Barcelona, particularly to establish whether he could become available in the future.
For now, there is no indication that Kounde has asked to leave Barcelona.
In fact, his position remains unchanged, with the defender hoping to increase his involvement after the international break.
However, if things do not change until January, a move cannot be ruled out altogether.