Liverpool are one of several Premier League clubs keen on signing Barcelona defender Jules Kounde this summer, according to a new transfer rumour from Spain.
The Reds are still flying after their dramatic 1-0 win away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, with Darwin Nunez sealing a priceless victory deep into stoppage time at the City Ground.
This is turning into a season to treasure, with EFL Cup glory already sealed and a quadruple not impossible, before Jurgen Klopp departs at the end of the campaign.
When that happens, Liverpool’s next manager will be looking to bring in his own players to bolster the squad, no doubt helped by a newly-hired sporting director, too, whoever that may be.
According to a report from Spanish publication Sport, the Reds are interested in signing Barcelona and France ace Kounde in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool are not alone in showing a willingness to snap him up, however, with Chelsea and Manchester United also believed to be in the mix.
Kounde isn’t out of contract at Barca until the summer of 2027, so a hefty bid may be needed to prise him away from the La Liga giants.
Our thoughts on Liverpool signing Kounde…
Kounde has the potential to be a really astute signing by Liverpool if they get a deal over the line, with the 25-year-old a versatile player who has proven himself at the top level for both club and country.
He has racked up 73 appearances for Barca, earning a move there from Sevilla in 2022, and he also has 24 caps to his name for France, starting his country’s 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina.
Kounde is capable of playing at both right-back and centre-back, sharing the load in both positions for Barca this season, so he could provide added depth for Liverpool, especially with Joel Matip likely to leave when his contract expires in the summer.
The report does state that Barca could be willing to sell the France international, in order to generate funds for new signings, and the Reds would surely be seen as a more appealing proposition for him than Chelsea and United, even with Klopp leaving.
