Liverpool and Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, as per Spanish outlet Sport.
Since Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid, the Reds’ right-back position have been in a state of flux. They decided to purchase Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Alexander-Arnold, but he has struggled to find his feet in the Premier League.
Moreover, the Merseyside club currently have Conor Bradley as the right-back option, but he has been sidelined due to a serious knee issue throughout this year.
Joe Gomez previously played in the right-back position under Jurgen Klopp but has had numerous fitness problems in recent years.
Liverpool have signed Ronald Araujo on loan from Barcelona this summer, and he can provide cover in the right-back position, although he is a centre-back by trait.
So, it appears Andoni Iraola is considering signing a new right-back. Sport report that Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Kounde’s situation following his struggles to break into Barcelona’s starting line-up this season.
Apart from the Reds, Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United have also been keeping a close eye on him before making a potential swoop. However, Arsenal and Chelsea are the strongest contenders in this race.
Battle
The report state that despite his difficulties finding regular game time this season, Kounde doesn’t want to leave and Barcelona aren’t in any rush to sell him, with his existing deal set to run until 2030.
However, the Catalan giants might be open to cashing-in on him should they receive an unrefusable proposal, with the player valued at around £47m by Transfermarkt.
Man Utd currently have Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui as right-back options, but the Portuguese has struggled to showcase his best consistently enough. On the other hand, Mazraoui has found it difficult to play regularly under Michael Carrick.
Kounde is comfortable in the right-back and centre-back positions. He has proven his worth at the highest level for club and country. So, the 27-year-old would be a shrewd acquisition for Man Utd or Liverpool should either club purchase him.
However, it is going to be interesting to see whether the Old Trafford club or the Merseyside club eventually make a concrete approach to secure his services.
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