Manchester United 'interested in signing Jules Kounde'

Manchester United have reportedly identified Sevilla's Jules Kounde as a transfer target.

The centre-back was strongly linked with a move to Manchester City during the summer transfer window, but the Citizens were unable to agree a price with the 22-year-old's Spanish club.

According to Mundo Deportivo, United also have an interest in the former France Under-21s international, who has scored twice in 18 appearances for Julen Lopetegui's side during the 2020-21 campaign.

The report claims that the 20-time English champions view Kounde as a leading target at the back, although Villarreal's Pau Torres, Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu, Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak and Brighton & Hove Albion's Ben White are also being considered.

Sevilla are in a strong position when it comes to the Frenchman's future as he has a contract at Estadio Ramon until June 2024 with a release clause thought to be in the region of €80m (£72m).

United are allegedly keen to shift both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in 2021 before bringing a new central defender to the club to battle the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe.