Manchester United are set to move on from missing out on Dayot Upamecano with a reported pursuit of Sevilla’s French star Jules Kounde.
The 22 year-old defender is reportedly top of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s wish list and could be set for a switch to Old Trafford this summer as United look to sort out their leaky defence, especially in the wake of recent results.
Kounde was favoured by Pep Guardiola who reportedly tried to tempt Sevilla with parting with him last Summer but Manchester City found their efforts rebuffed for the talented defender.
The Express notes: “That’s why Pep Guardiola came calling last summer, quite literally, but Sevilla wouldn’t sell.”
“When a club – who base their entire model around cashing in on their prized assets -decide not to sell up you know the player is special.”
“An offer from English football has arrived, we have assessed it and rejected it because, although it is more than double the investment we made 12 months ago, we consider it to be insufficient,” Monchi explained after Manchester City’s £45million offer was rebuffed.”
With Harry Maguire almost guaranteed not to be dropped due to being Solskjaer’s most expensive signing and the man he’s made club captain then it’s someone to partner the former Leicester man who’s now a priority.
It’s not just Jules Kounde who’s reportedly on United’s radar, with the Reds also being linked with RB Leipzig’s other French centre back Ibrahima Konate. Whether it’s Konate or Kounde who United decide to sign, there’s no doubt reinforcements are needed if Solskjaer is to have any chance of a real title challenge next season.