Chelsea and Manchester United battle to sign Sevilla defender

Chelsea have joined Manchester United in the race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde this summer, as per reports in Spain.

The 22-year-old has set up himself as perhaps the best defender in La Liga since leaving his country France in 2019. The ex-Bordeaux centre back was a vital piece of the Sevilla squad that won last season’s Europa League and continues playing a big role this term.

At 22 years of age, it appears to be evident that Kounde’s long term future will lie away from Sevilla. He can possibly play for a top European club – and connections with Manchester United have continued for quite a while.

Manchester United are searching for the ideal partner for Harry Maguire at the back. Questions remain about Victor Lindelof, while Eric Bailly is by all accounts wanted out of the club.

A new report recommended they have trimmed down their shortlist and Kounde is one of the names who remains in contention. However, United isn’t his lone expected target.

As per La Colina De Nervion, Chelsea have now entered the race for Kounde.

The Premier League giants are searching for a long term replacement to Thiago Silva. The Brazilian is out of contract toward the end of the campaign, but has dazzled and may earn another one-year extension.

Even so, Chelsea will in any case have to find more younger competition for him and they don’t come obviously better to Kounde.

Thomas Tuchel’s side are said to have registered their interest, leaving Sevilla prepared for a bidding war. But, that is something that will really be welcomed by the Spanish side, who could raise immense funds accordingly.

Sevilla are intending to possibly release Kounde if they can make him their most expensive deal ever. Their present record departure was £36m, but the 22-year-old is probably going to cost considerably more than that.

Many top European teams are prepared to put forth an attempt to sign him, however. Chelsea are among them and he is viewed as the ideal answer for their defensive difficulty.

They should utilize their financial muscles once again to have any possibility of dominating the race for his signature.

Another admirer of Kounde is Manchester City, who attempted to sign him prior to signing Ruben Dias the previous summer.

Given the effect Dias has made, they will not be regretting that choice to an extreme, however it appears Kounde is as still on their radar.