Manchester United spent $80 million on Harry Maguire in 2019. He had his fair share of good and bad moments. However, their defensive overhaul is still not complete. There have been times when they have conceded silly goals. While Maguire and his counterpart Victor Lindelof have been often criticized for their performances.
Thus it is obvious that they will be linked with a move for a defender. Since Sir Alex left the club, the Red Devils have been on a massive spending spree. Despite their big spending, they haven’t managed to change that spending into success. However, right now things look very good under Ole Gunnar Solskjear, especially in the Premier League.
Eric Baily is also another defender at the club but he has been very injury prone. However, at times he has often looked their best defender. Thus it is obvious that they would want to add another centre back to their ranks. Finances have hardly been a problem for the Red Devils, with money in their pocket they are now looking for another centre back.
Their search has now led them to Sevilla centre back Jules Kounde. According to Spanish news outlet Mundo Depertivo, Manchester United want to sign the Frenchman. He joined the La Liga side from Bordeaux for a fee of $25 million.
United interested in Jules Kounde
The Frenchman was linked with a move to Manchester United’s arch-rivals Manchester City. In the summer of 2020, the Citizens submitted a $55 million bid for the 22 years old. However the Los Nervionenses rejected the bid. Pep Guardiola’s side went on to sign Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias as defensive additions.
Despite his young age he has managed to establish himself as a key player for Julen Lopeteqgui. This season he has made 19 appearances for Sevilla in all competitions. He was also part of the squad that won the Europa League last season. The Spanish side defeated Manchester United in the semi-finals to progress to the finals.
Kounde played against Manchester United in the semi-final, and he was very impressive. In Europa League, last season he made nine appearances for the club, and Sevilla kept six clean sheets. Despite all his accomplishments he is yet to be capped by his national side France. Though the Mundo Depertivo report says that he is the player for the future for Didier Deschamps.
With his ever-increasing profile, more clubs will show interest in him. However, Los Nervionenses are also determined to keep him at the club. They will only sell him if his release clause of £71.6million is met. Some have suggested that since they have already broken the bank for Maguire, they might do it for Kounde and get a player for the long term.
Twelfth Man Times Opinion
There is no doubt that Manchester United need a new defender. Harry Maguire hasn’t been good enough, though he had improved their defense they still need more. While Eric Bailey has been very good when he is fit, but that is not very often. Victor Lindelof has been inconsistent at times he has done well but most of the times he hasn’t been good enough.
Considering the current pandemic, even for Manchester United, it might be difficult to stamp out that kind of money. Though Konde is a good player but he is not yet worth that kind of money. The Red Devils did spend that kind of money on Maguire and clearly, it hasn’t been worth it. It is high time that United start to spend money wisely.
Instead of Kounde, they can sign Dayot Upamecano, who is likely to cost less money than him. They can also go for someone like Kalidou Koudbaly, though the Napoli defender is over 30 he can still do the job well. Thus it would not be wise for Manchester United to stamp out $71.5 million for the Frenchman, as better options are available for a lower price.
There is another area that requires their attention in the defensive part. The right position is one where Wan Bissaka has no other competition. They also need a new striker like Erling Haaland. If they want to sign someone like Haaland they will have to spend big and they need money for that as well.
