MX23RW : Thursday, December 12 03:42:53| >> :120:15460:15460:

Manchester United 'make enquiry about Barcelona's Jules Kounde'

Man United 'make enquiry about Barcelona's Jules Kounde'
© Reuters
Manchester United reportedly make an enquiry about Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, despite the Frenchman insisting that he will not leave Camp Nou this summer.

Manchester United have reportedly touched base with Barcelona to enquire about a move for French defender Jules Kounde.

Having burst onto the scene with Sevilla, winning the Europa League title in the 2019-20 season, Kounde was soon courted by several top clubs across Europe.

The 24-year-old was widely expected to join Chelsea last summer, but the Blues could not come to an agreement with Sevilla, who instead sold him to Barca in a €50m (£43.5m) deal.

Kounde has been a regular fixture in Xavi's team during his debut season at Camp Nou, making 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and setting up six more in that time to help La Blaugrana win La Liga and the Supercopa de Espana.

The versatile France international has been deployed both as a centre-back and right-back this season, but Barcelona will attempt to bolster their full-back ranks this summer, which could impact Kounde's chances of regular starts next term.

Manchester United's Wout Weghorst in action with Barcelona's Jules Kounde on February 16, 2023© Reuters

According to AS - via the Manchester Evening News - Man United could try to take advantage of the situation and have made contact with Barcelona to discuss a possible summer move.

The report claims that Xavi cannot guarantee Kounde a regular starting role in the 2023-24 season, and Barcelona may be open to bids for the defender in order to balance the books.

Kounde's ability to play both in the heart of defence and out wide supposedly makes him an attractive prospect for Erik ten Hag, who may also in the market for a new right-back.

However, the former Bordeaux youngster has already affirmed that he has no desire to leave Barcelona this season, and Xavi has also played down talk of a possible exit.

Kounde is also under contract at Camp Nou for another four years, but a substantial bid could still twist Barca's arm as they attempt to raise funds for a reunion with Lionel Messi.

Barcelona centre-back Jules Kounde pictured on August 1, 2022© Reuters

Man United boss Ten Hag has deployed both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot at right-back during the 2022-23 season, while the former has also started on the left-hand side on occasions.

Back in December, the Red Devils activated an extension in Dalot's contract to keep him at the club until 2024, and the Portugal international is now thought to be close to signing a new long-term deal.

Meanwhile, Wan-Bissaka has also reignited his career at Old Trafford under Ten Hag, but his terms are also up at the end of next season, albeit with an option to extend until 2025.

A return to Crystal Palace has been mooted for the 25-year-old, who is also believed to be on the radar of West Ham United, but he is now thought to be more likely to stay at Old Trafford.

As well as Kounde, Man United are understood to be tracking Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, while Bayern Munich's Benjamin Pavard is another name under consideration.

ID:514903:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6057:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Jules Kounde

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United defender Diogo Dalot pictured on January 6, 2023
Read Next:
Diogo Dalot 'close to signing new Manchester United contract'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!