Manchester United ramp up scouting efforts for Pau Torres and Jules Kounde | OneFootball

Transfer News: Manchester United prioritise Pau Torres and Jules Kounde

According to the latest transfer news update from 90min.com. Manchester United have narrowed down on Pau Torres and Jules Kounde as their preferred centre-back targets ahead of the summer.

It is no hidden secret that Manchester United are pushing to sign a new centre-back ahead of the next season. And it makes sense for the club to do so, despite the recent improvements at the back.

Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof have been inconsistent while Eric Bailly is an injury-prone player and is soon set to enter the final year of his contract as well. So, a new central defender who can be an improvement on the current options is a must.

This has seen Manchester United get linked with a host of top defenders from across Europe. But, it now seems like the Red Devils have identified their top targets with scouts now instructed to perform exclusive checks on Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

Torres, a product of the Villarreal youth academy, has grown into one of the best defenders in La Liga over the past couple of years. A left-footed centre-half, something that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eyeing, the Spanish international is comfortable with the ball at his feet and possesses solid defensive nous as well.

Kounde, meanwhile, joined Sevilla in the summer of 2019 and exploded onto the scenes, helping them to the Europa League triumph last season. He has continued in the same vein of form this term as well, leading to interest from a host of clubs including Real Madrid.

Manchester United have narrowed in on these two options as their top targets. However, their release clauses – £70m in case of Kounde and £50m for Torres could pose a problem.

More Manchester United News

Apart from Kounde and Torres, Manchester United also have Caglar Soyuncu, Benoit Badiashile, Manuel Akanji and David Carmo also on their transfer wishlist, the news report adds. It remains to be seen who the club decides to bring in.