Jules Kounde not registered by Barcelona after financial lever activated

Kounde will miss out on Saturday

Barcelona have managed to register four of their new signings ahead of their opening LaLiga game of the season on Saturday.

The Spanish league's financial restrictions meant Barca have been unable to register multiple new arrivals, but the club have now freed up funding with several 'economic levers' being activated by the club.

The fourth of those levers was triggered on Friday, the day before Barca host Rayo Vallecano in their first league game of the season. As a result, summer signings Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Franck Kessie and Andreas Christensen are all now eligible to play in the game.

Former Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, meanwhile, who Barca signed despite interest from Chelsea, is still waiting to be registered.

Barca confirmed on Friday that they have sold 24.5 per cent of Barca Studios to Orpheus Media for a total of €100m in the hope that their new signings - along with Ousmane Dembele and Sergi Roberto, who have both been given new contracts - would be able to play.

Kounde is not believed to be as far along in his preparations for the new season as some of the other new arrivals at the club, explaining his omission. Barca still need to free up 'salary mass' before France international Kounde makes his league bow for Barca.

A potential sale of Frenkie de Jong could see Barca free up enough space on their wage bill to register Kounde for their next league game.

De Jong has been linked with a move to Manchester United all summer, with Chelsea also thought to be in the race to sign the Dutch midfielder.

Related links:

• Barcelona sell off a further €103m in assets to register new signings
• The enormous wage Ousmane Dembélé is earning at Barcelona revealed
• Barcelona could lose summer signings Andreas Christensen and Franck Kessie for free