Barcelona defender just two matches away from triggering clause that could reward former club €2.5m bonus | OneFootball

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is approaching an interesting milestone this season, one that could bring additional financial benefit to his former club, Sevilla.

Kounde joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022 after establishing himself as one of the most reliable defenders in La Liga during his time in Sevilla. 

The transfer was worth around €50 million, but the agreement between the two clubs also included several performance-related bonuses that could increase the final value of the deal over time.

One of those clauses is now close to being activated again.

What’s the story?

The condition is straightforward. If Kounde plays in at least 60% of Barcelona’s matches during a season, while appearing for at least 45 minutes in those games, Sevilla will receive an additional €2.5 million from the transfer agreement.

According to AS, the French international has already reached that requirement in each of the previous seasons since arriving in Catalonia. 

During the current campaign, though, he is once again very close to doing the same.

Kounde is currently out injured. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

So far this season, Kounde has played at least 45 minutes in 34 matches for Barcelona. 

However, to trigger the clause, he needs to reach 36 appearances. That means he is only two matches away from once again activating the bonus payment for Sevilla.

Injured at the moment

Notably, the defender will not be available for Barcelona’s upcoming match against his former club. 

This is because Kounde suffered a muscle injury shortly before Barcelona’s Copa del Rey semifinal clash against Atletico Madrid. 

Medical examinations later confirmed that he has a problem in the middle section of the biceps femoris in his left thigh.

The injury is expected to keep him sidelined for several weeks. Despite that setback, the club remains confident that he will return in time for the final part of the season.

Ultimately, if Kounde manages to feature in just two more matches after his recovery, Sevilla will once again receive a €2.5 million boost thanks to the deal that took the French defender to Barcelona nearly four years ago.