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Manchester United’s new head coach Ruben Amorim is set to utilise a three-man defensive line and the club need more quality at the back if his plan is to work.
Victor Lindelof remains injury-prone and his contract ends in 2025. Harry Maguire is also in the same boat while Jonny Evans is not the answer moving forward.
Only Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are expected to remain and it is clear that the club needs to strengthen in defence.
Jules Kounde of Barcelona has been enjoying a phenomenal season and as relayed by F365, the Red Devils are eyeing the Frenchman on Amorim’s orders.
Kounde interest
The 26-year-old has played 17 times this season, netting once while providing four assists. While Hansi Flick has mainly utilised him as a right full-back, the Frenchman prefers playing in the heart of the defence.
This versatility will be a huge asset for Amorim and the 20-time English league champions are preparing a January offer of €65 million for the former Sevilla star.
The Catalan giants were open to moving on Kounde back when Xavi was in charge but Flick has instructed the club not to let go of the France international.
“Manchester United are interested in the addition of a Barça star who is one of the most outstanding players of the season so far. The performances that Jules Koundé has shown can only be categorized as sensational.
“Fortunately, the arrival of Hans-Dieter Flick in place of Xavi Hernández has radically changed his situation, and he has been able to recover his best version.
Move unlikely
“Something that has caused him to become one of Rubén Amorim’s first requests as soon as he arrived at Old Trafford, to strengthen the wing demarcation.
“So the English entity has already prepared a first offensive, which would be valued at 65 million euros, a very important amount.”
Barca want potential suitors to pay his full termination clause of €1000 million, which in unlikely to be ever met. Kounde, therefore, will only leave if Barcelona want him gone.
Signing a versatile defender makes a lot of sense and it will be interesting to see how INEOS operate in the market and how they work in tandem with the new Portuguese coach.