Image for Liverpool are now keeping an eye on “unbelievable” £60m+ La Liga champion – report
Image for Liverpool are now keeping an eye on “unbelievable” £60m+ La Liga champion – report
Liverpool are reportedly interested in completing the signing of Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde, with his future at the Catalan giants in doubt.
Right-back has become something of an issue for the Reds under Andoni Iraola, even though Ronald Araujo is impressing there so far this season, being praised by his boss recently:
“He has done very well. Very well. The other day against Ipswich Town and now today even better. He is defending his side of the pitch very well, and sometimes maybe we underestimate his attacking. Today he provided a great assist. I’m very happy with him. He has come here wanting to show he is at this level, so I hope we can keep him there because he’s in a lovely place.”
Jeremie Frimpong currently doesn’t look good enough to be a long-term option for Liverpool at right-back, while Conor Bradley’s injury-prone nature is becoming a cause for concern.
According to a report from Spain [via Caught Offside], Kounde is on Liverpool’s radar, with Barca potentially willing to sell the France international for upwards of £60m.
Premier League rivals Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City are also in the conversation to sign the 27-year-old, who has fallen out of favour so far this season, starting only two games in La Liga.
Is Jules Kounde an ideal right-back option for Liverpool?
It seems strange that Kounde isn’t starting regularly for Barca, considering what an experienced and proven player he is at an elite level, winning three league titles during his time at the Camp Nou.
He has won 58 caps for a star-studded France side, proving to be a hugely dependable right-back option, and Barca manager Hansi Flick has lauded him in the past, saying:
“His attitude is not typical. It’s Unbelievable. I have never experienced this before. After the match, he wants to train. He is a great professional and takes excellent care of his physical condition. In every training session, he wants to give it his all. This attitude is not common, but it’s very good.”
In truth, there is little not to like about Liverpool signing Kounde in 2027, with the defender still in his peak years and possessing both defensive solidity and attacking quality.
The Reds could get the best of him for several years, while sticking with Bradley at the same time, assuming he can rid himself of the injury problems.
As mentioned, Araujo is doing an admirable job at right-back currently, but he is a centre-back by trade and isn’t able to offer the natural attacking width down the right flank.
It is great to have his versatility, and he will hopefully seal a permanent move to Liverpool at the end of the season, but an out-and-out right-back is required, either in the January transfer window or next summer.
Unless Frimpong improves hugely in that time, it makes sense to move him on to pastures new when the campaign reaches its conclusion, with Barca themselves surprisingly linked with a move for him in recent times.