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Man Utd ‘think Jules Kounde ticks two boxes and prepare bid’ despite Raphael Varane chase
Manchester United are closing in on Real Madrid veteran Raphael Varane.
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Manchester United are set to make a bid for Sevilla’s Jules Kounde despite their pursuit of Raphael Varane, according to reports. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has already brought Tom Heaton and Jadon Sancho to Old Trafford this summer. And, now, two more could be primed to join.
Manchester United have made big progress in their pursuit of Varane over the past 24 hours.
Personal terms with the France international’s camp have now been agreed, after weeks of extensive negotiations.
And they’re now focused on arranging a fee with Real Madrid, who want £70million to let him go.
Despite United being prepared to pay closer to £50m, optimism is building that Varane will move to Old Trafford.
And he may not be the only new reinforcement, with the Daily Mail saying the Red Devils are preparing a bid for Kounde as well.
The Sevilla star has been linked with Chelsea and Tottenham, having flourished over the past two years.
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Yet United, despite being well-stocked at the back should Varane touch down, are now ready to bring him to the Theatre of Dreams instead.
Solskjaer is said to admire the 22-year-old, who is under contract until 2024, for his potential.
And Kounde’s versatility also appeals, with the France international capable of playing at both right-back and centre-back.
Sevilla are said to be reluctant to lose their prized asset however, while that’s currently the case, are bracing themselves for potential offers.
And where Kounde ends up remains to be seen.
United are a club that appear to mean business this summer, with the Glazers giving Solskjaer the backing he wants.
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Their spending may not end with Kounde and Varane, either, due to United’s determination to make additions at right-back and in midfield as well.
Atletico Madrid star Kieran Trippier is being tracked, despite the La Liga giants rejecting one bid so far.
The England international wants to return to England after two years in Spain and is hoping that, by the time the transfer window shuts, he’ll be back in his homeland.
Then, for midfield, several players have been linked.
United have long admired Saul Niguez but face competition from Barcelona and Liverpool when it comes to acquiring the Spain international.
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Eduardo Camavinga is on their radar, though there’s a realisation that he’d prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid instead.
Declan Rice has been monitored, despite West Ham being likely to demand £100m to part ways with their prized asset.
And Ruben Neves has emerged as a target in recent weeks, with Wolves ready to cash in as they look to balance the books in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Meanwhile, regarding Varane, the Real Madrid star has been questioned by Jamie O’Hara for wanting to leave the Bernabeu behind.
“My question was why is he leaving Real Madrid if everyone is making out he is the best centre back in the world?” he said.
“A lot of people say he fell out with the manager and thought it was time to move on.
“(United) do need a centre half and if they do get him, it definitely improves the team massively. It would be a top signing for Manchester United and it's a position they do need to improve...
“It's world class, Varane and Maguire. I would worry a little bit potentially about pace with them both.
“I’ve seen Varane get torn apart by Chelsea in the Champions League last season. Pace I think would be something that teams would try and exploit against them two.
“If you look at Liverpool, when van Dijk and Gomez is fit, they have pace and can get out of trouble. United could lack in that area.”