Liverpool’s search for solutions at right-back appears to be gathering pace, with Tutto Mercato reporting that Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu has emerged as a serious target ahead of the summer window. It is the kind of link that makes sense on several levels, particularly for a club looking to sharpen a problem position after a difficult campaign. Juventus want to tie the Frenchman down and protect an increasingly valuable asset, while Liverpool are surveying the market for a right-back capable of bringing consistency, athleticism and tactical intelligence.

There is a logic to Kalulu being high on Liverpool’s shortlist. He is valued for his versatility, his technical level and his physical profile, all qualities that matter greatly in the modern Premier League. For a side that needs more certainty down that flank, his ability to adapt and compete in different defensive roles only adds to the attraction.

The background to this pursuit is telling. Liverpool’s recent 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City underlined the need for reinforcement, and the sense is that the club’s recruitment staff believe the role demands fresh attention. Wesley of Roma is also being monitored, according to the same report, which suggests the search is active and specific rather than speculative.

Juventus, though, are hardly passive observers. Kalulu is under contract until 2029 and currently earns £2.5 million per season, yet the Italian club are said to be preparing improved terms to underline his importance. He has become a regular starter on the right side of defence and is viewed as a key part of the long-term project in Turin.

That creates a familiar transfer tension. Liverpool’s name still carries enormous weight, and interest from Anfield could alter the mood around any renewal talks. Juventus want security, Liverpool want quality, and Kalulu now sits at the centre of a battle that may only intensify as the window draws closer.

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is one of those reports that instantly feels believable. Kalulu sounds like the profile smart recruitment teams chase before the wider market catches fire. He is not being mentioned because of hype alone, he is being discussed because he appears to offer balance, pace and the sort of adaptability elite squads need.

What makes this especially intriguing is that Liverpool clearly need to get this decision right. Right-back has become a position where reliability matters just as much as creativity, and the team looked too vulnerable at times last season. If Kalulu can defend one against one, recover quickly and still contribute in possession, then the appeal is obvious.

There is also something encouraging in the idea that Juventus are desperate to keep him. Clubs do not rush to improve deals for players they can live without. That suggests Liverpool are looking at someone with real standing, not simply a squad filler.