Manchester United are holding an interest in Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who was on the radars of Chelsea and Real Madrid in the last summer window.
According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Manchester United hold a strong interest in Sevilla and France defender Jules Kounde and may make an approach for him in the summer next year.
Kounde came through the youth ranks at French club Bordeaux and made his move to Sevilla in the summer of 2019 where he has grown into one of the most coveted young centre-backs in Europe. In his very first season with Los Nervionenses, Kounde helped them to the UEFA Europa League title.
Kounde enjoyed another positive campaign last time out and his form for Sevilla led to a call-up to the France national team. He was part of the side that won the UEFA Nations League earlier this month. The 22-year-old’s rise at club and international level has not gone unnoticed, with a number of top clubs in Europe having tried to sign him in the summer.
Indeed, Chelsea were hot on his trails all summer long, but a move did not materialise. Real Madrid have also shown an interest in the 22-year-old, but now Manchester United have also emerged as a potential suitor for the Sevilla defender.
Manchester United strengthened their defensive unit in the summer transfer window with the signing of Kounde’s compatriot Raphael Varane from Real Madrid. With his addition, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has five senior defenders at his disposal in the form of captain Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones apart from Varane.
In addition to that Axel Tuanzebe is away on loan at Aston Villa. However, among these, Bailly’s future at Old Trafford is uncertain due to his lack of game-time while Jones is not a part of the future plans. Furthermore, Tuanzebe is said to be keen on making his loan switch to Villa Park permanently.
This has led to Manchester United getting linked to a number of defenders of late, with Gleison Bremer of Torino emerging as a target, while Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar has also registered on their radars. Now, Kounde too has emerged as a prospective target for the Red Devils to bolster their defensive ranks further next year.
Kounde’s contract with Sevilla runs till 2024. Considering that the La Liga outfit were insistent on Chelsea paying his release clause earlier this summer, their stance is unlikely to change next year should Manchester United make a push to sign him.
