Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘puts Sevilla centre back Jules Kounde onto his wishlist and could make move for him in January’ after defender was linked to rivals Manchester City this summer
- Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde
- The defender was linked with move to United’s rivals Manchester City last month
- The 21-year-old centre half has become a target for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Sevilla centre back Jules Kounde in the winter transfer window.
Kounde was linked with a move to United’s rivals Manchester City last month but Sevilla turned down City’s opening bid. City were warned that they would need to pay the £82million release clause and spent £64m on Ruben Dias.
The 21-year-old defender has now become a transfer target for United and they could make a move for him in January, according to ESPN.
Manchester United are reportedly eyeing up a swoop for Sevilla centre back Jules Kounde
Solskjaer has been undertaking rebuild at United following his appointment in December 2018
However the pursuit of the young French defender will reportedly be dependent on whether United can offload two of their centre backs.
Both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo have fallen out of favour at Old Trafford and were omitted from Solskjaer’s Champions League squad for the 2020-21 season last week.
United’s defence has come under the microscope in recent weeks, particularly after conceding six goals against Tottenham prior to the international break.
Both Phil Jones (right) and Marcos Rojo (left) have fallen out of favour at Old Trafford
Solskjaer opted to play Eric Bailly alongside Harry Maguire instead of Victor Lindelof but United faltered at the back.
Former United defender Gary Neville claimed United are ‘never going to win the league’ with the current crop of defenders last month. He urged Solskjaer to sign reinforcements in the transfer window following their shock defeat by Crystal Palace.
‘We can talk about Sancho all we like but until United get a centre back who can run and defend one-on-ones they are never going to win the league,’ Neville, who won eight league titles at Old Trafford, told Sky Sports.
United’s defence has come under microscope, particularly after conceding six versus Spurs
‘They are never going to win the Premier League with that centre back pairing.
‘They have to get a mobile, dominant centre half in alongside either Lindelof or Maguire.’
After a frustrating summer transfer window United brought in four players on deadline day including left back Alex Telles from Porto to bolster the defensive ranks.
