Jules Kounde has made transfer stance clear amid Liverpool ‘bid’ reports

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde has already expressed his intent to remain with the La Liga champions despite Liverpool lodging a ‘bid’.

On Monday, the Daily Mail reported that the Reds had tabled an offer to Xavi’s side for the former Sevilla centre-back. Jurgen Klopp said in one of his final press conferences of the season that they will be eyeing movement in the transfer window across the pitch – apart from between the sticks.

The German said: “We look in all departments apart from goalkeeper at the moment. Yes, if there is a good one (centre-back) out there, I would not deny it. That’s all. We look at all areas of the pitch, definitely.”

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The French defender was subject to interest from Chelsea last summer but Barcelona swooped in to win the race. Stamford Bridge seemed to be the destination for the 24-year-old but he opted to remain in the Spanish top-flight.

Just a season on, he is now subject to speculation over a move to Anfield. However, he has already quashed any murmurs of a departure amid reports he had asked to leave.

He said via Marca: “To make it clear: at no time did I ask to leave, so I’m not going anywhere.”

It has been claimed that he was disappointed about how he was utilised by the Catalonian side after being instructed to play right-back as opposed to his preferred central defensive role.

There have been multiple reports over the Catalan giants’ financial struggles in recent years. With the uncertainty surrounding their predicament financially, it has been reported that they are looking to lower their wage bill.

Plus with the rumoured interest from Merseyside, the price-tag that has been mooted is £52m with Xavi’s side said to not be accepting less than the figure.

Already, Liverpool have Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez as defensive options with the likes of Jarrell Quansah enjoying a positive loan spell at Bristol Rovers.

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