MANCHESTER UNITED face a fight to sign Jules Kounde – with Barcelona and Real Madrid joining the hunt for the Sevilla star.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is desperate to sign an elite centre-back to partner £85million man Harry Maguire next season, with question marks lingering over Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly.
Man Utd face competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona for Jules KoundeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Kounde, 22, has emerged as a United target in recent weeks and could fill the void at the top of their wishlist after the Red Devils seemingly missed out on Dayot Upamecano to Bayern Munich.
But the United again face competition from some of Europe’s biggest clubs, this time from LaLiga giants Barca and Real.
Sevilla value their young defender at around £60million after a superb start to life in Spain.
Kounde only joined Sevilla in the summer of 2019 from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.
In that time he has gone on to play 63 matches – including last season’s Europa League final win over Inter Milan.
Kounde has now become one of the most-sought-after players in Europe.
While United want the France Under-21 international to partner Maguire, Madrid are desperate for some defensive reinforcements of their own.
Los Blancos could lose Raphael Varane AND Sergio Ramos this summer.
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Club captain Ramos has stalled on signing a new contract, with his current deal expiring in June.
And Madrid chiefs have claimed they could cash-in on Varane for around £44m.
With just 18 months left on his current contract, Bernabeu bosses are worried they could lose Varane for nothing.
Barcelona are keen to bring in Kounde as well in a bid to add some steel to an otherwise shaky back-line.
The Nou Camp giants have shipped 24 goals from their 21 games this season, compared to Sevilla – who’ve allowed just 16 goals from 22 matches.
It’s believed Barca view Kounde as a long-term replacement for 34-year-old club legend Gerard Pique.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
