LALIGA
How much money is the Jules Koundé transfer clause going to cost LaLiga leaders Barcelona?
The France defender is expected to start against Atlético Madrid on Sunday, which means Barça will have to make an extra payment to Sevilla.
Barcelona are about to trigger one of the clauses that they agreed with Sevilla upon signing France international Jules Koundé last summer. The deal between the two clubs stipulated that La Blaugrana would have to pay their LaLiga rivals €2.5 million ($2.77 million) for each season in which the defender plays at least 45 minutes in 60% of matches, a figure he is expected to reach in Sunday’s home clash against Atlético Madrid.
How many games will Barcelona have played by the end of the season?
Koundé has made a total of 32 appearances for Barça this season, starting on 31 occasions and playing more than 45 minutes each time. He has come off the bench on once, featuring for eight minutes in the league match against Espanyol, which doesn’t count towards the total.
Xavi Hernández’s side have nine LaLiga matches left this season and, given that they are no longer involved in any other competitions, that means that they will finish the season having played a total of 53 games across LaLiga, the Champions League, the Europa League, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup. A quick calculation reveals that 32 is more than 60% of 53.
How much will Barcelona have to pay Sevilla in total?
The clause is related to each year of Koundé's five-year contract, which means that, provided he remains a first-team regular, Barcelona will have to pay Sevilla an extra €12.5 million ($13.87 million) on top of the €50 million ($55.48 million) they handed over to the Andalusian side last summer.
The Paris-born defender was forced to sit out a few matches in the early part of the season because of an Achilles issue and a muscle strain but has since become an undisputed starter, featuring at both right-back and in central defence, his favoured position. All being well, Koundé will take up his usual spot in the side against Atleti on Sunday, which will force Barça to dip back into their pockets.