Jules Koundé is one of the most promising young defenders in world football, and he has already made a name for himself at Rennes. The Frenchman was named Ligue 1 Player of the Year in 2019 after scoring 14 goals and providing 15 assists in just 36 appearances.
In January 2021, Koundé moved to Sevilla on loan from Rennes, where he quickly established himself as a key player. He scored three goals and provided two assists in his first six games for the Andalusians, and he continued to impress during the remainder of the season.
Now that Koundé has returned to Rennes on a permanent basis, there have been reports suggesting that Barcelona could be interested in signing him. The Catalan club have been linked with a number of defensive signings this summer, including a new centre-back to replace Gerard Pique,Bundesliga Tracking who is set to retire at the end of the season.
Koundé would bring a wealth of experience and talent to any team, and his versatility means that he could play anywhere from right back to centre-back. He has also shown that he can handle the pressure of playing in Europe's top flight, having played in the Premier League with Crystal Palace last season.
If Koundé does join Barcelona, it would be a significant coup for the club. The Spanish giants have struggled defensively in recent seasons, and adding another quality defender to their ranks would give them a real boost going forward. It remains to be seen whether Barcelona will make a move for Koundé, but if they do, it could be a major statement of intent from the club.