Manchester United linked with a transfer for Ben White and Jules Kounde
According to Spanish journalist Jose David Lopez (h/t Express), Jules Kounde and Ben White have been linked with a transfer to Manchester United, with the former being the club’s priority in the defensive area.
However, United are not willing to meet Kounde’s release clause, and the French centre-back is unlikely to leave Sevilla for a fee lesser than £72million. Their alternative, in that case, is Brighton and Hove Albion’s Ben White.
But even the Englishman would cost the club a sum of around £42million. That would make him the 2nd most expensive defender in United history behind Harry Maguire.
Ben White is an alternative transfer target for Manchester United as they focus on Jules Kounde. (imago Images)
United have tightened defensively. The centre-back trio of Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Harry Maguire seems to have improved, with United now having kept 9 clean sheets in their last 13 matches across all competitions.
But the Red Devils still want a defensive partner for Maguire in the heart of their defence next season, and Kounde, White, and Sergio Ramos have all been linked with a move. (h/t Express)
United, however, are not focused on signing the Real Madrid captain as his time at Santiago Bernabeu could come to an end in the summer.
White is one of the first names on the Brighton team sheet and the 23-year-old has already played in 27 games this season. He has carried over his form from last season where he impressed in the Championship at Leeds United.
As for Kounde, he is an integral part of the Sevilla team that sits 4th in La Liga. He has already matured into a stellar centre-back and has already made 37 appearances for Sevilla during this campaign. (h/t Transfermarkt)
As for Ramos, the 34-year-old would add experience to our backline. But if he doesn’t join us, then his aforementioned alternatives are not bad themselves.
