Manchester United are reportedly set to prioritise a summer move for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, who is rated at £60 million.
According to an exclusive report from the Mirror, Manchester United are set to plot a move to sign Sevilla’s French defender Jules Kounde in the summer transfer window later this year.
Having come through the ranks at French club Bordeaux, 22-year-old Kounde made the switch to Sevilla in the summer of 2019 and immediately become an integral part of the side. Forming a solid partnership with Diego Carlos at the heart of the defence, he played a key role in Sevilla’s UEFA Europa League triumph last season.
Kounde has continued to be an ever-present figure at the back for the La Liga outfit this term as well, making 27 appearances across all competitions, also chipping in with a couple of goals. The Frenchman has gradually established himself as one of the most promising young defenders across Europe over the past eighteen months.
Kounde’s exploits with Sevilla have firmly put him on the radars of Manchester United. The Red Devils have a stocked defensive unit, but they could be in need of bolstering their options at the end of the campaign with Marcos Rojo seemingly on his way out this month while Phil Jones also does not have a future at the club.
In addition, Eric Bailly continues to be plagued by injury issues, meaning he is yet to present himself as a reliable option to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. With Victor Lindelof also battling injury problems this term and lacking consistency, Manchester United can do with another solid centre-back as a long-term partner for Harry Maguire.
Kounde, to that end, has now emerged as a priority target for the 20-time English champions, as per the aforementioned report. Manchester United got a close look at the 22-year-old when Sevilla eliminated them from the Europa League semi-finals last season, and the club has continued to track the youngster ever since.
Positional awareness, ability to read the game, good ground speed and athleticism are some of the qualities that Kounde would bring to the table should Manchester United sign him up. However, the Red Devils are not the only club keen, with the likes of Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid also tracking the Frenchman, who is rated at £60 million.
Kounde’s contract with Sevilla runs till the summer of 2024. It remains to be seen if Manchester United will make a move for the 22-year-old come summer.
