Man City suffer fresh transfer blow as possible Kyle Walker replacement 'agrees' new Barcelona contract

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has reportedly agreed a new long-term contract at Camp Nou, forcing Manchester City to look elsewhere in their pursuit of a new right-back.

The 26-year-old has slowly but surely come into his own in Catalonia since signing from Sevilla in the summer of 2022, snubbing interest from Chelsea to link up with the reigning Spanish champions.

Kounde initially earned plaudits for his feats as a central defender, but the France international has since become Barcelona's first-choice right-back, making 141 appearances for La Blaugrana in all tournaments.

Kounde has scored seven goals and set up 18 more for Barca in that time, and he started 29 La Liga matches during the club's run to title glory last season, before sustaining a campaign-ending hamstring injury.

The versatile defender entered the final two years of his contract with Hansi Flick's side earlier this summer, and Man City were rumoured to have added him to their shortlist of potential Kyle Walker successors.

Man City-linked Kounde to sign new Barca deal 'next week'

However, journalist Fabrice Hawkins now reports that Barcelona and Kounde have come to an agreement over a new contract, and the Frenchman will extend his terms by another three years until the summer of 2030.

Even though Man City had expressed an interest in the former Sevilla man, his first priority was to extend his Barcelona contract, and Fabrizio Romano adds that the formal steps will soon follow.

In a further update, the Italian journalist revealed that Kounde should sign his new Barcelona terms next week, and his renewal will keep him at the club until just before his 32nd birthday.

Kounde came through the youth system at Bordeaux before joining Sevilla for £30.6m in the summer of 2019, three years before Barcelona paid £43.7m to secure his services.

What other Walker replacements can Man City target?

Kounde would have been an ambitious acquisition for Man City, but while the Citizens were believed to been keeping tabs on his situation, he was never considered a prime target.

However, the door has been opened for Man City to make a move for Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz, who has revealed that he is open to leaving the Eagles despite only just signing a new deal at Selhurst Park.

Newcastle United's Tino Livramento has long been linked with a move to the Etihad too, although it is understood that Man City have no plans to make a formal approach for the former Chelsea and Southampton talent.

With no concrete talks taking place with any targets at the moment, Pep Guardiola is set to have Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes as his right-back options for City's Premier League opener against Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 16.