Barca to Liverpool: Kounde won’t go for below £52million

Jurgen Klopp is eager to bring Jules Kounde to Anfield with the 24-year-old open to leaving Barcelona this summer.
Kounde joined Barcelona from Sevilla last year for £46million and has made 38 appearances for the club, which has included being part of a LaLiga title-winning side.
However, Kounde is said to be disappointed that he has often been played at right back by Xavi despite his preference to play in the middle of defence.
The Catalan giants are looking to lower their wage bill but won’t accept less than £52million for Kounde.
Kounde started the campaign well but his performance levels have dropped and he isn’t happy that president Joan Laporta hasn’t backed up his promise to let him play in his preferred position.
Although Liverpool missed out on a place in the Champions League, Kounde could still be tempted by the prospect of playing for the club.
Klopp is prioritising a midfield rebuild this summer but the German has refused to rule out strengthening in other areas.
His defence has been particularly brittle this season with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez unable to provide sufficient depth when Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate have been absent.

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With Trent Alexander-Arnold firmly established as Liverpool’s first choice right back, Kounde would surely be deployed in his preferred centre back role at Anfield.
Kounde started his senior career at Bordeaux before joining Sevilla in 2019 and then signing for Barcelona three years later.
He has been capped by France on 20 occasions and featured at the World Cup in Qatar last year.