Liverpool Target Barcelona's Jules Kounde in £60m Swoop as Frimpong Struggles Continue
Liverpool are keeping tabs on Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde ahead of a possible transfer in 2027, according to Football Insider. The move comes as Jeremie Frimpong struggles to hold down the right-back spot, with Conor Bradley still sidelined and the club now prioritising defensive reinforcement.
- Who: Liverpool are monitoring Barcelona's Jules Kounde, according to Football Insider.
- Fee: Formal offers in excess of £60m could soften Barcelona's stance.
- Timing: Liverpool could move in January or wait until next summer to make a formal approach.
- Why: Jeremie Frimpong has struggled to replicate his Bayer Leverkusen form, providing only four goal contributions in 41 games.
- Next fixture: Liverpool travel to Brentford on Saturday, 17th October at the GTECH Community Stadium.
Deal details
Liverpool are keeping tabs on Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde ahead of a possible transfer to Anfield in 2027, according to Football Insider. The report claims that formal offers in excess of £60m could soften Barcelona's stance, although the Catalan club are poised to keep the defender, described as 'incredible' by manager Hansi Flick.
Kounde has dropped behind the pecking order in Hansi Flick's starting lineup, fuelling rumours that he could consider a departure. This has put several top clubs on alert, according to the report. However, no formal bid has been submitted and Liverpool's interest remains at the monitoring stage.
Football transfer correspondent Pete O'Rourke, speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, said the Reds could consider a January move or wait until next summer to make a formal move. O'Rourke added: 'Right-back is probably another position that Liverpool do need to strengthen in with the issues they've had.'
What was said
"Right-back is probably another position that Liverpool do need to strengthen in with the issues they've had. It's not been the most stable position for Liverpool, with Jeremie Frimpong struggling to reach the heights expected of him when they brought him to Anfield last summer."
O'Rourke's comments underline that Liverpool's recruitment team view right-back as a genuine problem area, not merely a temporary dip in form. The reference to Frimpong's failure to hit expected heights is telling: the club signed him to be a long-term solution, but his defensive lapses have forced the manager's hand.
The mention of a possible January move or a wait until next summer indicates Liverpool are weighing short-term fixes against a bigger investment. A £60m-plus outlay on Kounde would represent a significant statement, but the club's initial reluctance to sign another right-back last summer shows how quickly priorities can shift.
The numbers
- Frimpong's goal contributions: Four in 41 games across all competitions since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.
- Kounde's potential fee: Offers in excess of £60m could soften Barcelona's stance.
- Frimpong's age: 25.
- Recent right-back selection: Ronald Araujo has been deployed as the preferred right-back in the last three Premier League matches.
Injury and availability
Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a lengthy injury he suffered last season. His absence has left Jeremie Frimpong as Liverpool's only natural right-back option, though Andoni Iraola has recently turned to Ronald Araujo in that role. Frimpong has remained unconvincing whenever called upon, leading the club to explore potential options.
Why Liverpool are looking at Kounde – and why right-back is now a priority
Jeremie Frimpong's defensive struggles have been exposed repeatedly this season. In the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in matchweek two, his position was largely exploited, prompting the manager to bring on Dominik Szoboszlai later in the match. That substitution was a clear signal: the coaching staff do not fully trust Frimpong in defensive phases.
With Conor Bradley still absent, Andoni Iraola has deployed Ronald Araujo as his preferred right-back in the last three Premier League matches. Araujo is a centre-back by trade, and while he offers physicality and aerial security, he does not provide the attacking overlap a natural full-back would. This tactical compromise has narrowed Liverpool's width and slowed their build-up on the right flank.
Jules Kounde would represent a different profile entirely. Comfortable at right-back and centre-back, he offers the defensive solidity Frimpong lacks while still contributing in possession. His ability to step into midfield and play out from the back would suit Iraola's system. However, Kounde has dropped behind the pecking order at Barcelona under Hansi Flick, fuelling speculation about his future, and any deal would require a fee in excess of £60m to test the Catalan club's resolve.
Liverpool initially opted against signing another right-back in the summer, but reinforcing the position has now become an increasing priority. The club are working behind the scenes to sign someone, according to the report. Whether that means a January stopgap or a summer marquee signing like Kounde remains the central question.
Talking points
- Is £60m for a 27-year-old centre-back playing out of position at right-back good value, or should Liverpool target a specialist full-back instead?
- Frimpong's four goal contributions in 41 games is poor for an attacking full-back, but is he being judged too harshly in a disrupted defensive unit?
- Deploying Araujo at right-back solves aerial issues but kills width – does this tactical trade-off cost Liverpool more than Frimpong's mistakes?
- Barcelona are poised to keep Kounde, so is this interest genuine or simply a leverage play by his representatives?
What happens next
Liverpool travel to Brentford on Saturday, 17th October at the GTECH Community Stadium, hoping to return to winning ways. The right-back position will be under scrutiny again, with Araujo likely to continue unless Iraola changes tack. Behind the scenes, the club will continue assessing options, with a January move or next summer's window the two possible timelines for a formal approach for Kounde.
Frequently asked questions
Are Liverpool signing Jules Kounde?
Not yet. Liverpool are keeping tabs on Kounde ahead of a possible transfer, according to Football Insider. Formal offers in excess of £60m could soften Barcelona's stance, but no bid has been submitted.
Why is Jeremie Frimpong struggling at Liverpool?
Frimpong has only provided four goal contributions in 41 games across all competitions and has been found wanting defensively on several occasions, including the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest in matchweek two.
Who is Liverpool's right-back against Brentford?
Andoni Iraola has deployed Ronald Araujo as his preferred right-back in the last three Premier League matches, and he is likely to continue there for the trip to Brentford on 17th October.
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