Sevilla are ‘fearful that Man United will trigger £69m release clause for Jules Kounde in January’ – which would hijack Chelsea’s transfer plans as the Red Devils look to solve their defensive woes
- Sevilla knocked back Chelsea’s £42.5million offer for Jules Kounde in summer
- The LaLiga side demanded their £69million asking price for the defender be met
- Spanish outfit fear Man United could swoop in and trigger the release clause
- Struggling United could look for the solution to their defensive woes in January
Sevilla fear that Manchester United could be planning a swoop for defender Jules Kounde in January, according to reports in Spain.
The LaLiga club knocked back a £42.5million offer from Chelsea for the Frenchman in the summer, demanding the Blues met their £69m asking price.
But Thomas Tuchel reportedly still holds an interest in the centre-back and Chelsea have shortlisted Kounde alongside Matthijs De Ligt as potential new centre-back options for next year.
Sevilla are now worried they could lose Kounde in the upcoming transfer window but it is Chelsea’s Premier League rivals United who are causing the concern.
Sevilla fear that Man United could be planning a swoop for defender Jules Kounde (right)
The LaLiga side rejected a £42.5million offer for the defender from Chelsea in summer
The Red Devils could swoop in to beat Chelsea to Kounde’s signature as they look to solve their own problems in defence, according to AS.
Summer signing Raphael Varane’s start to life at Old Trafford has been blighted by injury, while Harry Maguire’s struggles have continued.
According to the report, United, who currently sit sixth after four defeats, are monitoring the defender and could meet Sevilla’s demands.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will be eager to bolster their defensive ranks with Thiago Silva, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen set to leave the club at the end of the season when their contracts expire, unless the Blues can tie them down to fresh deals.
Raphael Varane most recently went down injured in United’s 2-2 draw against Atalanta
The deals of Chelsea duo Andreas Christensen (left) and Antonio Rudiger (right) are expiring
But Tuchel has refused to confirm that Chelsea will return for the same players they targeted in summer.
‘I think every transfer period you need to evaluate again,’ Tuchel said, via the Express.
‘You cannot say what we wanted in the summer, we do in the winter. And what we want to do in winter, we want to do the next summer. It is not like this.
‘Your opinion changes, players change, you have evolvement in the group, you have an atmosphere that you build, you see who is absolutely reliable and these connections build up and create something special hopefully in the group.’
Thomas Tuchel refused to guarantee that Chelsea will target the same players in January
Losing the Frenchman will come as a massive blow to Sevilla, who have the LaLiga title in sight
Sevilla are dreaming of a LaLiga title charge and to lose Kounde midway through the season would come as a major blow.
The Andalusians have lost just once in the Spanish top flight this season and boast the best defensive record, conceding just seven goals, which leaves them one point adrift of leaders Real Sociedad.
Kounde has been pivotal to their near-immaculate defensive record, marshalling the side to six clean sheets in the 10 matches he has featured so far this term.
