Real Madrid have reportedly proposed a swap deal to Sevilla involving Marco Asensio and Jules Kounde ahead of the January transfer window.
Kounde, 23, had been heavily linked with a move away from Los Rojiblancos last summer, amid reported interest from Real, Chelsea and Manchester United, and all three teams are now prepared to battle for the defender's signature again next month.
One previous report has claimed that Sevilla have dropped their asking price for Kounde to a figure between €50m (£42.5m) and €60m (£51m), a reduction from the €80m (£68.8m) release clause in his contract.
However, El Nacional reports that Real Madrid are willing to negotiate a €40m (£34m) transfer fee plus the addition of Asensio in part exchange.
The report adds that Sevilla head coach Julen Lopetegui is an admirer of Asensio and believes that the 25-year-old winger would be the final piece of his jigsaw to form a squad capable of challenging Los Blancos for the La Liga title.
Asensio has just over 18 months remaining on his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu, while Kounde's deal with Sevilla does not expire until June 2024.
Oliver Thomas
