SEVILLA have confirmed they turned down a bid for Manchester City target Jules Kounde.
Manager Pep Guardiola sees the French defender as an alternative after talks over signing Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly hit a brick wall.
Manchester City saw their bid for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde rejected by the Spanish outfitCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But Kounde, 21, has a release clause of around £68million in his contract and Sevilla are so far playing hardball.
That means City will have to pay somewhere close to that figure if they want to land him in the current window.
Sevilla sporting director Monchi said: “It’s true that in the last days we have received interest from a club for Kounde.
“And that club has transmitted an offer to us, which has been valued by the management committee and rejected.”
Reports in Spain say City have already agreed personal terms with Kounde, who only joined Sevilla from Bordeaux in July 2019.
Monchi said: “If they’re going to make another bid, then we’ll listen and answer again.
“But I doubt he has agreed personal terms as he has a contract.”
Koulibaly was City’s first choice but Napoli are holding out for around £80m for the Senegal skipper.
The 21-year-old Frenchman joined from Bordeaux last year and helped Sevilla reach the Europa League finalCredit: AFP
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And the Etihad club will not pay that for a 29-year-old.
Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, 25, is another they have looked at — but City refuse to be held to ransom over a fee.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
