Liverpool reportedly ready to match club-record fee to beat Chelsea and Real Madrid to centre-back

Jules Kounde of Sevila is said to have a £75 million release clause and Liverpool are said to be open to matching that figure.
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Liverpool are ready to secure the services of Sevilla's Jules Kounde, according to reports.

And the centre-back could cost the Reds a huge fee that would be equal to their club-record transfer deal.

Who is Jules Kounde?

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Kounde was born in Paris and came through the ranks at Bordeaux.

In total, he made 70 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit, scoring four goals.

The centre-back secured a move to Sevilla in the summer of 2019 and has made rapid headway since.

Kounde has played more than 100 times for the La Liga club and helped them win the Europa League during his first season.

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Sevilla also secured Champions League football last term, while they currently sit second behind Real Madrid in Spain's top flight.

Kounde has also broken into the France squad. He won seven caps last year and is in line to be part of Les Bleus squad when they defend their World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Jules Kounde runs with the ball during a World Cup qualifier for France. Picture: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty ImagesJules Kounde runs with the ball during a World Cup qualifier for France. Picture: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images
Jules Kounde runs with the ball during a World Cup qualifier for France. Picture: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

What's been said

According to El Nacional, Sevilla rejected bids from Real Madrid and Chelsea last summer.

However, he has a €90 million release clause (£75 million) in his contract - and Liverpool could look to steal a march.

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Reports suggest that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp fears that Real and Chelsea will again make moves for Kounde at the end of the season.

It's claimed that the 23-year-old "has given his approval to the offer presented to him by Liverpool".

Will Kounde join Liverpool?

To meet Kounde's release clause, Liverpool would have to match what they paid for Virgil van Dijk in January 2018.

That would mean equalling the highest transfer fee paid in the Reds' history.

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It would be against the backdrop of Klopp splashing out £36 million on Ibrahima Konate last summer.

As things stand, Liverpool are well stocked in central defence.

They also have Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips at their disposal - although the latter could well leave this month.