Liverpool target Jules Kounde confirms he is staying at Barcelona

Jules Kounde wants to stay at Barcelona amidst Liverpool interest

Barcelona and France defender Jules Kounde has confirmed that he will stay with La Liga champions despite interest from Liverpool.

A few days ago, Daily Mail revealed that Liverpool are keen on bringing Kounde to Anfield as Jurgen Klopp wants the player.

We all know that the Reds are in the transfer market for midfielders and defenders. With the Frenchman being a flexible player in the back line, the potential offer to sign him made sense.

Jules Kounde (R) has confirmed that he is staying at Barcelona despite Liverpool interest. (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

But, the 24-year-old has quashed those rumours before they even started making noise. Here’s what he said (h/t Bein Sports, via Mirror):

“So that it remains clear…my future? I will stay at Barcelona, of course.”

While anything can happen in football, especially during transfer windows, this statement tells us that it is highly unlikely Kounde is coming to Anfield this summer.

If we look at the current options Liverpool half at the back, they could do with a centre-back who can fill the role Joel Matip used to play. The latter might well be sold this summer.

Jurgen Klopp and the recruitment staff can look at other defensive targets. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

With Trent Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield on the ball, there is a case to sign a right-back or a right-sided centre-back to help Ibrahima Konate by sharing the minutes around or playing at right-back.

Because Kounde could do both, not getting him would be a bit disappointing. But, we are very early in the summer. There are other targets the club can focus on signing before the pre-season starts next month.

More Liverpool News:

Ideally, Klopp, Jorg Schmadtke and the backroom staff must complete all the player deals before the start of July so that the new entries in the squad are attending the pre-season from day one onwards. It would help in their integration and understanding of the tactical side of the game under the manager.