Manchester United have emerged as the top contenders in the race to sign Sevilla’s defensive starlet Jules Kounde this summer.
According to Defensa Central, Manchester United appear to be in pole position in the pursuit of Jules Kounde. The Sevilla centre-back is destined for a move to the Premier League after the report suggests Real Madrid’s financial limitations in the upcoming summer transfer window could prohibit them from splashing the cash on the Frenchman.
Although Los Blancos are desperate to secure the services of the promising defender, it appears they cannot sanction his €80 million asking price, which could drop as low as €65 million-€70 million due to the pandemic that has drastically affected the overall valuations for players across Europe.
Unfortunately for Real Madrid, they are likely to face difficulties forking out that amount of money for a central defender, especially as they now shift their focus on two of the biggest prospects in world football in Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, who already has a bunch of options in the summer, including Manchester United.
Where should Erling Haaland end up this summer? | THT rates transfer destinations
Speaking of the Red Devils, they are in the driver’s seat, in the race to sign Kounde, thanks to Real Madrid’s financial struggles. It bodes well for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is keen on signing a new centre-back in the summer – someone that can provide good competition for inconsistent defenders like Victor Lindelof and even club captain Harry Maguire.
Additionally, the Norwegian tactician is perhaps bracing himself for the departure of Phil Jones. Even Eric Bailly’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain, with the defender unsure of his current role at the club and how it can change in the future.
The arrival of a promising star like Kounde could certainly add more quality to the backline. The Frenchman’s ability to make driving runs with the ball from the back, combined with his dominance in the air and indeed in physical duels may even make him an upgrade over Lindelof. It should also combine well with the more robust nature of Harry Maguire.
Sevilla themselves had similar luck, with the combination of Kounde and Diego Carlos helping them attain one of the best defensive records in La Liga. Manchester United are hoping for the same, although there have been a lot of question marks regarding the reliability of Maguire, so it will be interesting to see whether the Red Devils opt for multiple defensive targets this summer.
