Liverpool are preparing a summer offer worth €80 million (£69m) for Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, according to reports from Spain. Mundo Deportivo claims the Premier League club are planning to submit the bid at the end of the season, with new manager Arne Slot identifying the 27-year-old French international as a primary target to solve his side's issues at right-back.
Barcelona are reportedly willing to sell Kounde for that fee as they seek to raise vital transfer funds. The Catalan club's sporting director, Deco, has previously confirmed that Manchester City made contact for the player last summer, while Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal have all been linked with interest over the past 18 months. Spanish outlet Sport reported last month that Barcelona chiefs are open to the departures of Kounde, Alejandro Balde, and Marc Casado to bolster their financial position.
Kounde joined Barcelona from Sevilla for €55 million in the summer of 2022, having been heavily pursued by Chelsea. Initially a centre-back, he has established himself as Barcelona's first-choice right-back, making 186 appearances in all competitions for the club. His versatility, allowing him to play both centrally and on the flank, is seen as a major asset by Liverpool's recruitment team.
The move comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Liverpool's current options at right-back. The club signed Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5 million last summer, but the Dutchman has struggled with injuries and adaptation to the Premier League. Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby recently questioned Frimpong's physicality for the role, describing him as sometimes playing "like a kid" in a critical assessment. Slot has also used midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai and academy product Conor Bradley in the position this season, with Bradley also facing fitness issues.
For Barcelona, a sale at the reported €80 million figure would represent a significant profit on their initial investment and provide crucial capital for their own squad rebuilding. For Liverpool, securing a defender of Kounde's proven quality and experience would address a persistent problem area. The potential transfer underscores Slot's intent to reshape his defensive line ahead of his second season in charge, moving on from last summer's signing to a more established, physical presence.
