Liverpool’s planning for the next transfer window will already be under way, even if the market itself remains some distance off. Recruitment work rarely pauses, and one of the names long associated with the club, Jules Kounde, has now had his current position on a potential move made clearer.

According to Ekrem Konur, Liverpool have made checks on the Barcelona defender, but any immediate encouragement appears limited. The key detail is that Kounde’s intention is to remain at Barcelona unless his role under Hansi Flick reduces significantly.

Konur reported: “Liverpool made enquiries for Jules Koundé, but the defender immediately rejected the idea.” He added: “Despite reduced role, has no intention of leaving Barcelona. Win back his place in the starting XI. Only a lack of minutes could change that. Not willing to sell for a low fee.”

That information is useful because it sharpens the picture around Liverpool’s right-back thinking. Squad building under Andoni Iraola and the recruitment team will involve several moving parts, and full-back depth is one area that could still demand attention depending on form, fitness and the outcome of temporary arrangements.

Kounde has long appealed to elite clubs because of his versatility. He is naturally a central defender, yet he has repeatedly shown he can operate from right-back at the highest level. For Liverpool, that profile carries obvious value. Iraola’s teams tend to require aggression, recovery speed and comfort in one-on-one defending from wide defenders, and Kounde ticks many of those boxes.

There is also a broader market reality at play. Proven defenders, in their prime years, attached to major European clubs, rarely become straightforward deals. If Barcelona were ever to entertain a sale, the fee would almost certainly be substantial. That alone places this in the category of a difficult operation rather than an advanced pursuit.

From Barcelona’s side, the position appears equally firm. Even if Kounde’s status has fluctuated at points, they are not under pressure to move him on cheaply. When a player is experienced, adaptable and established at Champions League level, the selling club generally holds significant leverage, especially when the player himself is not pushing for the exit.

That leaves Liverpool in a familiar place, monitoring a high-calibre option without a clear opening. Clubs in this position usually continue to gather information, revisit the situation periodically and keep alternative targets active in parallel. It is standard practice, particularly when the market can shift quickly through injuries, managerial preferences or contract developments.