Liga: Barça sued over Jules Koundé transfer, agent demands €3 million
FC Barça is embroiled in an unexpected legal dispute concerning the transfer of Jules Koundé, which took place in July 2022. Agent Isaac Tutumlu has filed a lawsuit against the Catalan club, claiming a €3 million commission for his alleged role in bringing the French defender from FC Sevilla. This legal battle could tarnish Barcelona’s image, despite Koundé now being an undisputed starter and attracting attention from Liverpool.
In July 2022, Koundé officially joined Barcelona for a fee of €55 million, including bonuses, after a fierce battle with Chelsea. Two and a half years later, the transfer seems to have been a sporting success, but it has resurfaced in the legal arena. Isaac Tutumlu, an agent involved in several dealings between Barcelona and Sevilla, claims to have played a key role in the operation. He asserts that Joan Laporta, Barcelona’s president, asked him in June 2022 to intervene on behalf of the club with Ramón Rodríguez ‘Monchi,’ then sporting director of Sevilla, due to their strong relationship.
Tutumlu claims he worked for several weeks with Mateu Alemany, Barcelona’s former sporting director, to facilitate the transfer. He states that he has provided evidence, including emails, phone conversations, and WhatsApp messages, proving his involvement. However, he says he was sidelined from the final negotiations just as the deal was about to be completed. Although he was not officially appointed by Barcelona, he believes he is entitled to a 6% commission on the transfer fee, amounting to €3 million.
Barcelona, for its part, firmly refuses to pay this sum, arguing that Tutumlu was not recognized as an official intermediary in the deal. The agent was, however, compensated for his role in the transfer of Luuk De Jong between the two clubs just nine months earlier. This case sheds light on the often opaque world of football transfers and the tensions that can arise between clubs and agents.
As the trial looms, Barcelona will have to confront this controversy, which could affect its reputation. For Jules Koundé, however, this legal affair remains a secondary issue as he continues to shine on the pitch.
