Pranav Nair
Transfer News: Manchester United eye Sven Botman instead of Jules Kounde
Speaking on the Here We Go Podcast (h/t The Metro), transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Manchester United have shifted their attentions from Jules Kounde to Sven Botman going into the summer transfer window.
Kounde is one of the best defenders in his age group and has continued to impress for Sevilla. United have monitored him all season and believe he would be the ideal player to partner skipper Harry Maguire in defence.
However, Sevilla has slapped an exorbitant £68m price tag on the player that has complicated matters. With the price being set so high, the Red Devils have now been forced to explore other alternatives.
One of them is Lille defender Sven Botman. The 21-year-old has shown good promise and is considered a major alternative to Kounde.
One of the finest young defenders in the French top-flight, Botman was linked with both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in January. But he stayed put and is now the object of interest from Old Trafford.
United, for now, remain merely interested and have not made an offer for the Netherlands international. With the summer window fast approaching, we will have to make a decision sooner or later.
A La Liga themed summer?
Botman is not the only defender on United’s radar. Real Madrid ace Raphael Varane and Villarreal star Pau Torres are also being monitored.
It is no secret that the club needs to bring in a new centre-back this summer. But with the financial aftereffects of the coronavirus pandemic still in effect, it remains to be seen if we can secure the players we want rather than the ones we need.
More Manchester United News
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- Transfer News: Daniel Levy pours cold water over Manchester United securing Harry Kane
United have a number of positions to strengthen this summer. With finances at a premium, the club will need to be smart in the window. This off-season could prove to be the true test for Ed Woodward and John Murtough.
