FC Barcelona has agreed to extend Jules Koundé's contract until June 2030. The French international initially signed until 2027, with a release clause of 1,000 million euros. Understanding that, at 26 years old (he will turn 27 in November), he is already one of the best right-backs in the world, the club has not wasted time to secure his future.
In principle, the contract extension for three more seasons will include a logical adjustment in his emoluments. Currently, the '23' earns around 13 million euros gross per year, a salary that could reach up to 16 'kilos' from 25/26. This, of course, once LaLiga updates the figures of his new contract.
For the moment, Barça still does not have enough salary margin to update records in its squad. Not in vain, Wojciech Szczesny, who renewed last month until 2027, has not yet been registered, nor have Joan García, Roony Bardghji and Marcus Rashford, the three reinforcements signed in the current summer market.
Koundé's renewal, pending LaLiga's 'Ok'
In that sense, the club's objective is to leave the entire first team payroll updated before the closing of the pass window, on September 1 at 20:00 CEST. Koundé, beyond postponing the update of his record, will have no problems playing from matchday 1 against Mallorca, since his record has been registered since the summer of 2022.
For the moment, the club's lawyers and his agent already have all the necessary documentation ready for the player to sign his new contract. Barça, for its part, will make the announcement shortly, with the traditional act in the office of President Joan Laporta.
The Paris native landed in Catalonia in July 2022 from Sevilla. Barça paid 50 million net to the Seville team for his transfer, immediately becoming a key piece for the azulgrana squad.
Jules alternated the position of central defender with that of right back in his first two seasons. However, since the end of 2023, even with Xavi Hernández on the bench, the Frenchman took over the right side, forming a very effective tandem together with Lamine Yamal.
Koundé's statistics at Barça: records that support his renewal
In total, Koundé has accumulated 141 official matches with FC Barcelona, adding 7 goals and 18 assists. The 26-year-old defender managed to string together a streak of 86 consecutive matches seeing minutes with the club (104 in total, adding his appearances with France) and, in 24/25, accumulated 4,423 minutes of action in 53 matches.
Until his injury in the first leg of the Champions League 'semis' against Inter, Jules was the player with the most minutes in the team led by Hansi Flick. Although the problem in his left thigh left him 'KO' during the last month of the season, he was the defender with the most participations in goals of the squad (12), product of 4 goals and 8 assists.
| Seasons | Official matches | Goals | Assists | Warnings | Expulsions | Minutes played |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 141 | 7 | 18 | 13 | 0 | 11.978 |
His physical display, technical quality and offensive contribution make him a fundamental piece for Flick's scheme. Although Eric García has responded well by replacing him in the final stretch of the previous year, the '23' is, without a doubt, one of the untouchables for the German coach.
Hence, Barça did not waste time extending his contract. If he complies with his current link, the Frenchman could spend eight seasons at the club. Since Dani Alves, no right-back had managed to establish himself in that position with the culés.