Jules Kounde (Getty Images)
According to ESPN, Real Madrid are keeping tabs on Sevilla youngster Jules Kounde ahead of the next season.
Kounde, 21, rose through the ranks of Bordeaux’s youth system and impressed with the club’s senior setup in the last two seasons. He was signed by La Liga outfit Sevilla last summer and the youngster proved to be a worthy signing in his debut season in Spain.
In 36 games, he has featured for the Andalusian club, Kounde contributed with 2 goals and 1 assist and also helped his side claim a spot in next season’s Champions League edition. He has been brilliant so far and has also attracted the attention of several clubs across Europe, as per the report. Thus, Madrid should make a move for the youngster at the earliest.
Los Blancos, meanwhile, have performed their best throughout the campaign and Zinedine Zidane managed to help the side left another league title on his return to Madrid. The La Liga champions have been brilliant in every department and had also won the Spanish Super Cup earlier in the campaign.
However, the manager needs to bring in youngsters to the squad for the future. The current bunch of main players are already reaching their twilight and bringing in reinforcements would help them secure the future of the club.
One key area that needs to be sorted out is the defence. Madrid have been one of the best teams defensively in Europe, conceding just 25 goals in 38 league games. Club captain Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane have led their defence brilliantly.
Apart from them, summer signing Eder Militao and Nacho Fernandez are the two centre-backs available at the manager’s disposal. But the Brazilian youngster hasn’t been consistent whenever he was given the opportunities and Nacho has hardly been a regular this season.
Moreover, Ramos is already 34 and is in the final phase of his career. Thus, a young centre-back is a must in the transfer window.
In that regard, Kounde would be a brilliant addition for the future of the club. The French U20 international has been sensational in his debut season in La Liga, forming a strong partnership with Diego Carlos in the heart of Sevilla’s defence. And he can grow into a crucial player for Madrid under the guidance of Zidane.
His inclusion would definitely add depth to Madrid’s backline and he can go on to take over from Ramos in the future. Kounde is just 21 and has a lot of room for development. He would be a valuable addition if he is able to replicate the good form.
With Ramos nearing the end of his career, a move for Kounde seems to be sensible. He can go on to be a future leader in Madrid’s defence alongside Varane. Thus, they should make a move for the French youngster and lure him to Santiago Bernabeu this summer.