Manchester City enter the transfer race for Sevilla's defensive wall

Manchester City enter the transfer race for Sevilla’s defensive wall

Manchester City's English midfielder Raheem Sterling (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Manchester City's Portuguese defender Joao Cancelo (C) and teammates during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Everton at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on November 21, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Manchester City have entered the race for Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, but faces competition from Chelsea and Real Madrid, reports El Nacional.

After joining Sevilla from Bordeaux in the summer of 2019, Jules Kounde, 23, has quickly established himself as one of Europe’s best young defenders. The France international helped Sevilla win the UEFA Europa League trophy in the 2019/20 campaign and has been a key player in the Julen Lopetegui-managed side’s surge up the table in La Liga this term.

The 23-year-old defender’s talents have attracted attention from a lot of elite European clubs. He was heavily linked with a move to Chelsea in the past summer but the Pensioners were unable to get the deal over the line. Despite missing out, Chelsea retain an interest in the player.

Manchester City are the latest club to have shown an interest in signing Jules Kounde. In fact, Pep Guardiola wanted to sign the Frenchman back in the summer of 2020, with the Sky Blues making a €60 million offer to Sevilla. But the La Liga club immediately rejected the offer, which led to the Cityzens signing Ruben Dias from Benfica instead, claims El Nacional.

However, Manchester City have now renewed their interest in Kounde and are ready to splash €80 million—his release clause—to secure the defender’s signature in the summer transfer window, the report adds.

In Ruben Dias, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, Manchester City boasts of one of the best centre-back units in entire Europe. Nonetheless, with Ake and Laporte linked with moves to AC Milan and Barcelona respectively in recent times, and Stones falling down the pecking order this season, Pep Guardiola’s interest in recruiting a central defender makes sense.

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And a player like Kounde would fit in like a glove in Man City’s backline. The Frenchman’s versatility to play at right-back adds more value to his name, and his acquisition could ease some pressure off the ageing Kyle Walker’s shoulders.

Should any of Man City’s current crop of centre-backs leave at the end of the season, Kounde could become an ideal replacement.

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