Real Madrid have reportedly joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign Sevilla defender Jules Kounde during the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Sevilla last summer but ultimately stayed put despite interest from Chelsea and Man United.
Both Premier League giants have rekindled their interest ahead of the January window reopening next month, with Chelsea in the market for defensive reinforcements due to a looming contract crisis and Man United also looking to bolster their ranks at the back.
However, El Nacional reports that they could now face competition for Kounde's signature from Real Madrid.
The report claims that Los Blancos will look to take advantage of Sevilla's interest in Mariano Diaz by offering the attacker in a player-plus-cash deal for Kounde.
Madrid are thought to want around €20m (£17.1m) for Diaz, whereas Sevilla are unwilling to consider bids below Kounde's reported £77m release clause.
The Andalusian outfit would, however, reportedly be open to an offer of €60m (£51.2m) plus Mariano Diaz in return for Kounde from their La Liga title rivals.
For their part, Madrid are hopeful of knocking the cash part of that deal down to around £30m, although Sevilla are confident that the interest in Kounde will enable them to stand firm on their asking price.
Barney Corkhill
