Man Utd ready to bid for Kounde while Barcelona name transfer price with star in ‘spiral of frustration’
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly preparing a bid for Barcelona star Jules Kounde.
The defender turned down Premier League interest in joining the Catalan giants last year.
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He won a LaLiga medal in his first year at Barca but is said to be unhappy nonetheless.
According to the Catalan newspaper SportsKounde is in a “spiral of frustration” over his role under Xavi.
The Frenchman, originally signed alongside Ronald Araujo as a central defender, has been largely moved to right-back, with Andreas Christensen in the centre.
With Spain international Inigo Martinez joining from Athletic Bilbao, the competition for the central defender’s position will be even tougher.
The LaLiga champions are said to be ‘surprised’ by Kounde’s attitude – after the 24-year-old decided last year to dismiss any interest in Prem as he only wanted Barca.
Kounde joined Barcelona for around £48million last summer.
This time around they will reportedly be asking £65million for the highly rated star.
Man United could opt to bolster their defensive line with Kounde, which would see them reunited with former international team-mate Raphael Varane.
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Kounde also had to play at right-back for France – while at United he had to compete with Varane and Lisandro Martinez to play at his preferred position.
Chelsea were closely linked with Kounde last summer and could try again this time.
He admitted to L’Equipe last year that he had snubbed the Blues because Xavi was a “better communicator” than former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel.
Kounde said: “Then there was the conversation with the coach.
“We mainly talked about football. I felt a real confidence from him (Xavi) that he really knows myself, my game and my qualities.”
“I spoke to Tuchel and also felt that he wanted me to come, but I just liked Xavi’s speech.”
