Manchester United finds themselves in second place on the points table despite scoring four more than arch-rivals, Manchester City, who have a game in hand and sit above them.
It is no secret that the Red Devils are after a solid defender this summer. After being linked with multiple center-backs across Europe, the Old Trafford outfit is being linked with Sevilla defender, Jules Kounde.
According to various outlets, Manchester United have named a price to sign the Sevilla center-back.
"Manchester United are willing to pay £61million to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla this summer, according to reports. The defender is one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s top transfer targets. He’s eager to sign a new centre-back to partner Harry Maguire, having been left unconvinced by Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe so far. (Via: Express)"
In 24 Premier League games, Man United have scored 50 goals but have conceded 31 goals. Clean sheets have been a rarity for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in both home and away games.
Currently, Manchester United has the 10th worst defense in the league which outlines the need for a new center-back to partner their captain, Harry Maguire.
This is exactly the reason why they are said to be targeting Jules Kounde, who not only kept Messi and co silent but also scored a solo goal in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals.
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Who is Jules Kounde? Why are Manchester United after him?
The French international broke into Bordeaux’s senior squad in 2017/18 and his consistently strong performances earned him a move to Spain. The Spanish outfit captured the player for a fee of €25 million in 2019/20.
Since then, he has been a massive impact player for Los Palanganas across all competitions. The 21-year-old defender played a key role in Sevilla’s top-four finish in the league as well as in their Europa League title run last season. He also helped the team keep 21 clean sheets in his time in Spain.
In the ongoing season, Sevilla finds themselves in the top-four race once again. They have a two-goal advantage in the Copa del Rey over Barcelona – with some of the credit going directly to Jules.
Compared to the Manchester United regulars, the French center-back fares well enough to have attracted the attention of England’s heavyweights.
He has enjoyed greater success in tackles compared to Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Eric Bailly. Kounde has a success rate of 72% in tackling.
Comparing Man United target and Sevilla defender Jules Kounde with other Premier League defenders (Stats from https://t.co/2qO8OeUWOU) pic.twitter.com/BTWRIfiMGT
— ವರುಣ್ ಐತಾಳ್ (@AithalVarunkr) February 16, 2021
Jules Kounde is an athletic and pacy defender
The athletic and pacy defender is also one of the better-equipped players in terms of passing. The player is a great passer of the ball and fits into a team that wants to build from the back.
He has also managed more interceptions per game compared to Lindelof. The interceptions data depicts his great ability to read the game.
Multiple clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona have also entered the race to sign the defender. But Barcelona still finds themselves in a financial crisis, leaving Real Madrid and Manchester United to battle it out for the player.
With Sergio Ramos looking almost certain to depart the Spanish capital, Los Blancos can be a real threat to United’s hopes of landing Jules. They have already lost Dayot Upamecano to Bayern Munich and if they don’t act soon, they might miss Jules Kounde too.
(All stats from fbref.com)