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Liverpool pushing to sign£43m defender with"top-notch mentality"on the cheap - report

**Liverpool have been linked with a move for Barcelona and France right-back Jules Kounde, and they could now sign him for less than has been reported.**

Right-back feels like a problem position for the Reds currently, with the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold last year not yet properly filled.

Conor Bradley is an excellent young player, but injuries are becoming a cause for concern now, not least the serious knee issue he is currently recovering from, likely keeping him out of action well into next season.

Meanwhile, Jeremie Frimpong had a disappointing first season in a Liverpool shirt, admittedly not being used in the preferred wing-back role that he thrived in at Bayer Leverkusen.

Kounde has been mentioned as an option for Liverpool in the recent past, and now [_TEAMtalk_](https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/reds-barcelona-star-kounde-sight-price-drop-barcola-preference) report that Liverpool “appreciate” him, adding that “there’s a chance” that he moves to Anfield this summer.

His rumoured price tag of £43m is believed to be “lower than has been quoted in the past”, meaning the Reds could snap him up on the cheap.

**Jules Kounde: One of Europe’s most dependable full-backs**

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Kounde is such an impressive and unruffled footballer, rarely making the headlines for France or Barcelona, but proving to be a model of consistency.

He is extremely solid defensively, also offering attacking thrust when needed, with Barca manager [Hansi Flick](https://www.barcablaugranes.com/barcelona-team-news/112476/hansi-flick-backs-jules-kounde-to-show-best-form-for-barcelona-against-atletico-madrid) showing his appreciation for him last season:

_“Jules is a fighter. He’s always focused. We’re all human, and sometimes you don’t have your best day, but he’s always fighting. Even when things don’t start well. I appreciate what he’s doing. He has a top-notch mentality. He’ll show that tomorrow. It will be a tough match for everyone. I like what I see from Atlético, with a clear philosophy.”_

At 27, Kounde is right in the middle of his peak years, and that shouldn’t change for a while, so Liverpool should see him as a brilliant choice to come in and ease their right-back woes.

He is a proven player at the top level, starting for France at the 2026 World Cup and having a great chance of winning the competition, and he would sure up the Reds’ defence under Andoni Iraola.

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