Barcelona leave the door wide open for United to sign key defender in cut-price deal – report

Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign long-term defensive target Jules Kounde. The Spanish champions seem keen to move on the Frenchman, despite the key role he plays in their defence. He has been one of the first names on Hansi Flick’s team sheet. Barca want to move on from Jules Kounde However, winds of change are blowing at Barcelona. There is a feeling that it is time to try someone else at right-back, and so Kounde is being offered around. As per Teamtalk, “Barcelona have begun testing the market for Jules Kounde… that intermediaries have contacted virtually every major club in Europe to gauge interest in the France international.” Of which, “Manchester United have also been contacted, although sources indicate Michael Carrick’s side remain focused on strengthening at left-back rather than pursuing another option on the opposite flank.” Interestingly, despite a €1 billion release clause, “Barcelona are believed to be seeking in excess of € 50 million (£43m / $57m) for Kounde.” Kounde’s versatility, as he can play centre-back and right-back, should have been a major appeal to INEOS in considering signing him. Why Man United really said no However, Noussair Mazraoui can play right-back, centre-back, and left-back, while Diogo Dalot is capable of playing either right-back or left-back. It surely does not make sense to let one of them go for Kounde. At the very least, such a move is not necessary. Had the 27-year-old Barca defender been able to play left-back, United would certainly have jumped at the chance to sign him. The Red Devils are thought to be open to signing a left-back to share the workload with Luke Shaw. Shaw did well last season, avoiding the injuries that have often disrupted his campaigns, and ended up starting every one of United’s league games. Next season, though, it will be too much to ask Shaw to start every game, especially with Champions League football back on the agenda. A back-up needs to be signed, particularly with suggestions that Patrick Dorgu is now seen as a winger and Harry Amass wants to go out on loan. Lewis Hall is linked as a top left-back target, but so far no progress has been made over his pursuit. Featured image Fran Santiago via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.