Chelsea, Man Utd face competition from Liverpool for £68m-rated star

Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool are all interested in signing Sevilla defender Jules Kounde, who is rated at around £68m, according to reports.

Chelsea and Man Utd have been among the clubs heavily linked with Kounde. Both clubs were interested in him during the summer transfer window in 2021.

Sevilla splashed out around £21m to sign the Frenchman from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux in 2019.

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Kounde helped Sevilla win the Europa League in 2019/20 and he has been an ever-present for them over the past three seasons.

His form for Sevilla led to him making his senior debut for France last year and he has now been capped seven times.

Spanish outlet Fichajes are reporting that there are five teams currently interested in Kounde.

They are Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp’s side are the latest to join the race to sign the defender. It was reported during the summer that he was valued at £68m. His current contract expires in 2024.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp reserved special praise for Takumi Minamino following Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Norwich City in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Japanese attacker Minamino came into the team and he scored a first-half brace as Liverpool edged past Norwich.

Klopp lauded the 27-year-old after “one of his best games” for Liverpool:

“If you make ten changes you can’t expect perfection. We played a really good game, controlled. We were calm enough to open up their gaps. We scored wonderful goals,” Klopp said.

“We didn’t finish the game off and it was still open. They scored and we had to fight to bring it over the line. That’s fine. I’m really happy with the performance.

“We are in four competitions, three left, because of the quality of the squad. If we could have done that in last years maybe we would. Ten changes and this line-up and a bench that can make an impact, that’s really good.

“Minamino played incredible tonight, one of the best games he had for us. He’s in a good moment and that’s good. Curtis Jones was incredible in the first half.

“West Ham on Saturday, Milan on Tuesday, crazy schedule. That’s why we have to make changes.

“I’m really happy that the boys used the opportunity. It’s really nice they could prove how good they are.”