Report: Manchester United interested in £70m move for Barcelona star

Man Utd monitor Barcelona defender as summer plans take shape

Manchester United’s summer thinking continues to sharpen as the season moves towards its decisive stretch, and as reported by Fichajes, Barcelona defender Jules Kounde is being closely monitored. The interest reflects a broader reassessment at Old Trafford, shaped by tactical direction, financial reality and the demands of Champions League qualification.

INEOS are expected to focus primarily on midfield reinforcement, while a new left winger is also under consideration as the club look to restore balance and return to a back four under a new permanent manager. Yet the market rarely works in straight lines. Opportunities can present themselves unexpectedly, and United are alive to the possibility that the right defensive option could emerge.

Barcelona stance opens door to interest

Kounde, described as “one of the best right backs in the world,” has been a regular figure for both Barcelona and France. At 27, he is in his prime and remains under contract until 2030, but he is no longer viewed as untouchable beyond this season. Barcelona’s financial pressures continue to influence decision making, and there is a willingness to listen to offers if they align with wider objectives.

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An asking price of €80m (£69.5m) has been set, with the belief that Premier League interest allows them to “charge a bit more.” The defender himself is not actively seeking a move, but could be open to leaving if it is clear the club are prepared to sell.

Tactical value and versatility appeal

From United’s perspective, Kounde’s appeal lies in his adaptability. Comfortable at right back and centre back, he offers flexibility that suits a squad in transition. His experience at the highest level, coupled with composure in possession, aligns with the profile United are attempting to assemble.

However, Barcelona’s plan remains reactive rather than definitive. No final decision has been made, and they intend to assess offers as they arrive, balancing the need to free up wages with maintaining competitiveness.

Priorities demand discipline

There is, though, a broader question of necessity. United are not short in Kounde’s primary positions, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui already competing for minutes. While neither is flawless, both offer reliability, making a £70m outlay on another defender difficult to justify.

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Midfield and left wing remain more pressing concerns, areas where investment would deliver clearer returns. Unless circumstances shift, such as an outgoing at full back, Kounde would feel more like a luxury than a requirement.

United’s recruitment must be shaped by clarity rather than temptation. Quality is not in doubt, but strategy matters more.

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Big name links, elite talent, and a price tag that immediately prompts the question of priorities. No one doubts Kounde’s quality. Watching United over the past few seasons, the issue has rarely been the right back position in isolation.

Fans are more concerned about control in midfield and incision out wide. Too often United have looked stretched through the middle or predictable in attack. Spending close to £70m on a defender, when Dalot and Mazraoui are both serviceable, risks repeating old mistakes where opportunity trumped planning.

There is also fatigue around transfer windows driven by availability rather than need. Supporters want coherence, a sense that each signing fits a wider picture. If United qualify for the Champions League, that money has to work harder than ever.

That said, there is an appreciation that elite squads require depth and versatility. If departures occur, the conversation changes quickly. For now, though, most United fans would rather see resources directed where the weaknesses are obvious. The ambition is welcome, but discipline has to lead it.