Manchester United could reportedly turn their attention to Villarreal star Pau Torres as an alternative for Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde.
According to a recent report by Eurosport, Manchester United could line up a summer move for Villarreal defender Pau Torres as a feasible alternative for Sevilla’s French defender Jules Kounde.
Manchester United have been monitoring the development of Jules Kounde and were keen to bring the defender to the club next summer. Indeed, the Sevilla centre-back was considered the primary defensive target for the Red Devils’ manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, given the way the finances have been affected due to the pandemic, Manchester United may have to look at a cheaper alternative. The Red Devils can’t afford to spend a huge chunk of money on Kounde alone in the summer, who is valued in the upwards of £60 million currently. This has led to them looking at Torres as an alternative.
The Spaniard has established himself as one of the rising stars of Spanish football in the last couple of seasons. With 29 appearances across all competitions this term, Torres has made a solid impression and has earned plenty of praise from Villarreal manager Unai Emery.
Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old. And they could pounce on the opportunity to sign the centre-half, as they would face unanticipated difficulties if Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane decide to depart from the club after the end of the 2020/21 campaign.
The report states that Torres does have a release clause of around £43 million, which could make him a feasible option for Manchester United. In spite of an engaging league campaign this season, Solsjkaer has been sweating over his side’s defensive fragilities, with the likes of Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof not being nearly consistent enough.
So, the Red Devils boss is aiming to add a formidable presence to the backline, who would solidify the backline along with Harry Maguire. As for Torres, it will be interesting to see his own perspective about the situation, which is still unknown.
What now remains to be seen is whether Solsjkaer and Manchester United push for the La Roja prodigy as they look to bolster their defensive unit in the summer or Tthe Red Devils continue to pursue their primary target Kounde instead.
