Barcelona line up 2026 World Cup winner as defensive replacement | OneFootball

At this stage, it cannot be ruled out that Jules Kounde leaves Barcelona before the summer transfer window closes. The defender has attracted significant interest in recent weeks, with Arsenal being the latest club to consider a move.

Barcelona are not opposed to selling Kounde, but with only a few weeks to go until the transfer window closes, they would not have much time to sort a replacement. Thus, sporting director Deco has already started identifying possible replacements, and according to Sport, Pedro Porro is one of the players being considered.

Porro, who starred for Spain in their successful 2026 World Cup campaign earlier in the summer, recently signed a new contract at Tottenham Hotspur. However, this has not completely ruled out an exit, and the possibility of returning to his homeland with one of the biggest clubs in the world would surely be enticing.

New right-back not a priority even if Kounde leaves

Barcelona appreciate Porro, and he is seen as an excellent fit for Hansi Flick’s system. However, he would not be considered a priority, so a deal would only be possible if the club managed to do a deal that suited them. The reason for this is that officials would be happy for Eric Garcia and Xavi Espart to compete for the position if Kounde left, with the latter being especially counted upon by Flick as a player for the present and future.

Porro would undoubtedly be a good signing for Barcelona, but it is also true that money raised from Kounde’s sale would be better spent elsewhere. Eric and Espart are more than good enough to compete for the right-back spot, and it would allow the club to go big on a new central defender, which is an area that needs to be addressed following Ronald Araujo’s move to Liverpool.