Jules Koundé will not be registered for Barcelona’s season opener at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
La Liga have registered new Barcelona signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessié and Andreas Christensen as well as Sergi Roberto and Ousmane Dembélé, who both resigned for the club.
In order to register France international Koundé, Barça will have to either reduce their wage bill or release more players.
Memphis Depay has been linked with a move to Juventus and could be the next player to leave the club.
Koundé, who signed from Sevilla this summer, is expected to be a first-choice defender at Camp Nou this season but Xavi will likely have to do without the 23-year-old this weekend.
Xavi told a press conference on Friday that he was optimistic that all or almost all of the signings would be available: “In this sense, we are working. At the moment we are very positive. The club has been working on the fourth lever and I think we will do it.”
GSFN
