Barça secures Jules Koundé: agreement reached for his renewal until 2030

The 'operation safeguard' of FC Barcelona continues its course. After finalizing the renewals of Pedri, Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, Gerard Martín, and Iñigo Martínez, the sports management has focused its efforts on the files of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Jules Koundé. In fact, the latter already has a preliminary agreement with the club to extend his contract.

According to 'SPORT', the good disposition between both parties to extend the Frenchman's stay in the Catalan city has been key for the player to be one step away from signing his new commitment. The player's current contract expires in June 2027, but his renewal would tie him for three more seasons, until 2030, when he turns 31 years old.

At Can Barça, they are more than satisfied with the leap the defender has made this season, in which he has established himself as the best right-back in the world. The Parisian, for his part, is very happy with his present under Hansi Flick and has left behind his dissatisfaction with his positional change, showing himself completely adapted to his new role on the right side of the defense.

On the economic side, the player will receive a small salary increase, moving to slightly higher earnings than he currently receives, so it will not have a negative impact on the club's wage bill. The agreement is well underway, and only details remain to be defined, but it would be necessary to wait until summer to announce it because, right now, there is not enough salary margin.

A historic season for Jules Koundé

On February 17 against Rayo Vallecano, Koundé became the fifth Frenchman with the most matches in the history of the Catalan club. Since his arrival in the Catalan city in the summer of 2022, the Parisian has worn the blaugrana jersey on 131 occasions, surpassing Ludovic Giuly to close the 'top 5'. The forward, who defended the Barça shield between 2004 and 2008, ended his stint at the club with 124 matches played, seven fewer than the '23' culé.

Now, the Parisian's sights are set on the other four Frenchmen who surpass him in the number of matches: Samuel Umtiti (134), Clément Lenglet (160), Ousmane Dembélé (185), and Éric Abidal (193). In fact, after returning from the international break, all signs point to Koundé jumping to the fourth position in the ranking of French players in the Catalan club, surpassing a 'Big Sam' who has 'only' played 3 more matches than the right-back.

Jules' 125 matches at Barça are distributed as follows: 91 in LaLiga, 21 in Champions League, 11 in Copa del Rey, six in Supercopa de España, and two in Europa League, with a record of 6 goals and 18 assists in 11,096 minutes played.

This season, specifically, has been one of his establishment in the first team, being the player who has played the most minutes (3,541') and the only one who has participated in all 43 matches of Barça in all competitions. Additionally, he has celebrated 3 goals and provided 8 assists, establishing himself as the best right-back in the world.

📊Jules Koundé's statistics at FC Barcelona:

1. Matches: 131 (91 in LaLiga | 11 in Copa del Rey | 21 in UEFA Champions League | 6 in Supercopa de España | 2 in Europa League)
2. Goals: 6
3. Assists: 18
4. Minutes played: 11,096
5. Matches by position: 91 as right-back | 40 as center-back