Barcelona is facing the unwanted prospect of new signing Jules Kounde leaving the club before kicking a ball in anger. The defender- joined from Sevilla on a £46 million transfer- is yet to be registered for the club’s La Liga squad. The Catalans, saddled with a bloated wage bill, have been tasked by League authorities to reduce the same. It means Kounde’s registration will only go through if Barca manages to offload players from its roster.

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But with ten days remaining before the transfer window closes, time is not an ally. The likelihood of a bagful of fringe players leaving is as slim as a big money move for one of their starters. Midfielder Frenkie de Jong has been on the radar of a few clubs, most notably Manchester United. The Dutchman, however, has held forth, preferring to remain at the Camp Nou. He’s also due roughly £14 million in pending wages. The club refuses to pay, citing that the previous contract-signed during President Bartomeu’s reign- is illegal, hence void. Strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay are among the rumours, with Chelsea and Juventus, respectively, sizing up a bid for the two. Nothing concrete is yet to materialize. The unwanted Martin Brathwaite refuses a mutual termination of his contract, leaving the club in a bind. It’s going to be touch-and-go for the player. According to his contract, he needs to be registered by August 31, failing which he is free to leave. Adding to their woes, Barcelona will have to pay another £2 million if Kounde exits after August.

Having missed the opening two games of the season- the last a 4-1 win against Real Sociedad-the player and the club are at unrest over the situation. Xavi expressed his discontent after last night’s match, admitting that it’s a source of concern in the club:

“It’s the situation we have. It doesn’t bother me. Everyone looks to their future. To have a solution. It doesn’t bother me. It bothers me not to have Koundé. The market doesn’t end until September 1. Perhaps Jules would have played today. It bothers us all. Don’t get me wrong. Mateu and Jordi are doing an extraordinary job. It bothers me because we signed him to play. The first ones to get upset are Mateu and Jordi. The player understands that. It’s what we have. Let’s wait for the next week, let’s see if there is luck,” quotes The Mirror.

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After a protracted battle with Chelsea for his signature, recent developments have only exacerbated the mismanagement within Barcelona. As the levers turn from one to four and maybe more, President Joan Laporta is left with all to do.