The Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" confirmed that Deco, the football director at Barcelona, revealed in a recent interview that Manchester City expressed interest in the French player Koundé during the summer transfer window, without making any official offer.

The newspaper clarified that City's interest came while searching for a full-back, but Barcelona made it clear that Koundé is not for sale, and the player was ready to renew his contract, which was set to expire in 2027. Ultimately, Koundé signed his new contract until 2030, reflecting both parties' desire to strengthen the relationship quickly.

Deco stated: "The desire to sign is relative; there was no offer. City only asked us if Koundé was available in the market, and we responded that he is not for sale. Our relationship with City is good and direct without any mediation."

The newspaper confirmed that Koundé, after his outstanding season with Barcelona, which saw him score a crucial goal against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey, remains one of the team's key pillars, with management confident in his ability to continue delivering exceptional performance.