Barcelona officially wins big in a shocking lawsuit

By defeating the claim demanding 3 million Euros in commission from the Jules Kounde case, Barcelona has just secured a resounding legal victory in court, allowing the club to shed a significant financial burden.

In the context of striving to improve its financial situation, Barcelona has just received important off-field news. After more than 12 months pursuing a complex litigation case, the Camp Nou-based team has achieved a resounding victory against Isaac Tutumlu—a FIFA-registered agent—related to disputes stemming from the transfer deal for defender Jules Kounde in the summer of 2022.

The case originated last February when Isaac Tutumlu sued Barcelona, demanding an unpaid service fee worth 3 million euros (equivalent to 6% of Kounde's 50 million euro contract value).

Tutumlu asserted that he was personally commissioned by President Joan Laporta to act as an intermediary, leveraging his close relationship with Sevilla's then-sporting director Monchi to bring Kounde to Barcelona, despite fierce competition from Chelsea.

As evidence, this agent provided a series of WhatsApp messages and records of meetings with former director Mateu Alemany and coach Xavi Hernandez. However, Barcelona's side maintained a firm stance:

"The club never officially entrusted Tutumlu with any services for this specific deal". The club argued that informal exchanges cannot constitute a legally binding brokerage authorization document.

According to information from Mundo Deportivo, Judge Yolanda Lucia Arrieta of the Barcelona Civil Court of First Instance sided with Blaugrana. The judge ruled: "Tutumlu's claim is completely rejected". Not stopping there, this agent was also ordered to personally cover all legal costs related to the lawsuit.

This is considered a symbolic triumph for Barcelona, especially when issues regarding agent fees and commissions have been a focal point of controversy at the club in recent years (typical cases include sporting director Deco and Raphinha). Although Tutumlu still has the right to appeal to the Barcelona Provincial Court, the club's leadership confidently believes the case will not develop any further unfavorable outcomes.

Despite the victory in legal proceedings, on the professional front, Barcelona is facing a setback as Jules Kounde has just suffered an injury and is expected to be sidelined for about a month. Nevertheless, retaining 3 million euros in the budget at this sensitive time is a timely addition, helping the club maintain stability to prepare for long-term plans under Joan Laporta.