Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Jules Kounde, who is also a target for Real Madrid and Manchester United over a summer move.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Jules Kounde is featuring on the radar of Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. The French defender, who has an €80 million release clause in his deal with Sevilla, is also a target for Real Madrid, Manchester United and others.
Jules Kounde joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in the summer of 2019 and has since firmly established himself as one of the best centre-backs in La Liga. Till date, the 22-year-old, who is yet another top class defender to have emerged from the conveyor belt of French superstars, has featured 70 times for the Spanish outfit.
His exploits played a key role in Sevilla’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season and he has only gone from strength to strength this term. And, Kounde’s progress has alerted a number of marquee clubs across Europe, including Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United among others.
Barcelona have been reported to be scouring for centre-backs in the transfer market, and for good reasons. Gerard Pique is on the wrong side of 30 and is in the twilight of his career. In addition, Samuel Umtiti has disappointed with his inconsistencies when he has not been on the sidelines with multiple injuries.
That leaves Ronald Koeman with Clement Lenglet and Ronald Araujo in addition to youngster Oscar Mingueza as the only other central defenders at his disposal, making Kounde a viable target. Real Madrid, on the other hand, have plunged into the market owing to the uncertain future of Sergio Ramos.
The Real Madrid captain is in the final few months of his current deal with Los Blancos and there has been little development over a renewal. In addition, Raphael Varane has also been linked with a possible summer exit, meaning Real Madrid might be forced to sign not one but two centre-backs, which explains the interest in Kounde in addition to their pursuit of David Alaba.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have reportedly been intent on making a move for Kounde, who has been touted to be their priority target for the summer. With Victor Lindelof’s chronic back problems adding to the fitness predicament of Eric Bailly, the Red Devils do need to be on the lookout for another centre-back, which makes the pursuit of Kounde well advised.
In addition to Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, PSG are also hot on the trails of the young Frenchman. However, any suitor would have to trigger his €80 million release clause in order to prise him away from Sevilla in the summer, which could effectively rule Barcelona out of the running. Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Kounde.
