Manchester United eye Barcelona star Jules Koundé for defensive revamp

One of the priorities for Manchester United going into the summer transfer window is that of revamping the defensive roster as the Red Devils have struggled to put up their first-choice centre-back duo for majority parts of the ongoing season.

Adding a centre-back comes in multiple facets, someone who can not only defend but also play the ball out of the back and is mobile enough to make runs and create sequences which will add different vertices to a Andre Onana-centric ball-playing excerpts.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Barcelona centre-back Jules Koundé, alongside Premier League rivals Chelsea, according to a report by Sport. Both the clubs are tagged to be “very interested” in former Sevilla defender who could be on the move as the Catalan based club are set to review their defensive options complemented by their need for cash.

The 25-year-old has been integral to Xavi’s Barcelona this season though sporting director Deco will need to move a few players on owing to the compliance of Financial Fair Play rules.

The Frenchman would prefer to remain at Camp Nou though would prefer to play in his natural central position defensively. Barcelona have decisions to make over multiple defenders in the upcoming summer transfer window with the likes of Clément Lenglet, who is on loan at Aston Villa this season, as well as Andreas Christensen and Eric García.

The expected rebuild of Erik ten Hag’s squad will see Manchester United sign some of the biggest potential players who fit into a structure and a system at Old Trafford, and signing Jules Koundé would add another facet to the roster.

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Raphael Varane is expected to leave the club alongside Jonny Evans and the Red Devils will need to sign replacements for the outgoings as club continues to be linked with multiple defenders for the upcoming summer transfer window.