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Barcelona’s summer transfer plans are heating up, but not quite in the way many fans expected. Instead of bringing in fresh names, the club is choosing to double down on keeping its key players, especially defender Jules Kounde.
According to reports via Calciomercato, renowned agent Jorge Mendes recently approached Barcelona with a tempting deal: a chance to sign Inter Milan’s right-back Denzel Dumfries for just €25 million, thanks to a temporary release clause that expires on July 31. On paper, Dumfries seems like a great fit — a quick, physical full-back with an attacking mindset, he’s notched 22 goals and 26 assists in 179 appearances for Inter.
But Barcelona have reportedly turned the offer down.
Why? The club’s priority right now is holding onto Kounde, not bringing in someone new to potentially replace him.
With Manchester City and Pep Guardiola showing interest in the French international, Barcelona are working behind the scenes to extend Kounde’s contract, which currently runs until 2027. They see him as a core piece of their defensive puzzle, thanks to his ability to play both centre-back and right-back, and don’t want to risk unsettling the balance of their backline.
Even though Dumfries could offer firepower down the flanks, Barca seems to be betting on continuity and chemistry rather than disruption. And honestly, that makes sense for a team trying to stabilise after a few shaky seasons.
The decision also reflects Barcelona’s cautious financial approach this summer. With limited room to manoeuvre under La Liga’s financial fair play rules, every move needs to be strategic. A €25 million opportunity might look great, but not if it means triggering a domino effect in the squad.
For now, Dumfries remains in limbo, and any clubs hoping to scoop him up at a discount will need to move quickly before the July 31 clause expires.
As for Barcelona, all eyes are on how they handle the Kounde situation. If City come knocking hard, things could change fast. But at this moment, it’s clear: Barça’s priority isn’t new faces, it’s keeping their defensive foundation solid and intact.