Barcelona fends off agent's €3m koundé claim

Barcelona has triumphed in a high-stakes legal battle with agent Isaac Tutumlu, who sought €3 million for his alleged role in the Blaugrana's acquisition of Jules Koundé in 2022.

Key evidence deemed insufficient

A court in Barcelona rejected Tutumlu's claim, ruling that he failed to provide sufficient proof of the club's tacit acceptance or consent regarding his involvement in the transfer.

The agent, who had already brokered a loan deal between Sevilla and Barcelona for Luuk de Jong in 2021, argued that his intervention in Koundé's move from Sevilla to Barcelona avoided the French international joining Chelsea, which was also pursuing him.

Tutumlu presented a string of WhatsApp conversations and emails with key figures at Barcelona, including then-technical secretary Ramon Planes, sporting director Mateu Alemany, coach Xavi Hernández, and even president Joan Laporta. However, the court deemed these communications insufficient to prove a tacit agreement or consent from the club.

Tutumlu has confirmed plans to appeal the decision, claiming the court overlooked crucial evidence and that witnesses presented by Barcelona had contradicted themselves.