INEOS view £42m Barcelona star as perfect acquisition to bolster depleted position this summer

Manchester United fans are gearing up for their first-ever transfer window under new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Wholesale changes are expected to be made across the squad and hierarchy, the latter of which is already in the process of a significant revamp, with the likes of Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada and Jean-Claude Blanc now all aboard the project.

A concrete decision is still yet to be made regarding Erik ten Hag’s future in the dugout amidst intense speculation over his potential sacking. A fresh report tonight claimed that club chiefs are in no rush to come to a conclusion and instead want to take their time in analysing the Dutchman’s two seasons before announcing the outcome to supporters.

However, squad-wise, it’s thought that defensive reinforcements are high on Ratcliffe’s list of priorities. The backline was the area undoubtedly hit hardest by the season’s debilitating injury crisis, and the manager will already be considerably lighter in options next term due to Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans’ contracts expiring.

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United chiefs think they’ve found a perfect fit

As such, FootballTransfers has revealed that Barcelona’s Jules Kounde, who is valued as low as £42 million because of the Catalan side’s precarious financial situation, is a reported target of the Red Devils ahead of the window opening next month.

He is admired by INEOS due to the fact that he can play at both centre-half and right-back while boasting an abundance of top-flight and European experience at just 25 years old.

The France international has been included in Didier Deschamps’ squad for the Euros, so any Reds wanting to track the defender can keep tabs on how he fares throughout the tournament in Germany.