Man Utd have decided to sign Villarreal’s Pau Torres over Sevilla’s Jules Kounde as they look to sign a defender this summer, according to reports in Spain.
The Red Devils have been linked with numerous centre-back targets in recent months, with it becoming clear that central defence is a position they will look to improve in the summer transfer window.
The names of Torres and Kounde have appeared more than most, though, with both having impressive seasons in La Liga.
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Torres was today described as an ‘obsession’ of United”s by Spanish newspaper AS with Villarreal demanding his £43m release clause is paid in full.
Reports last month claimed that Sevilla were thinking about offering a huge discount on Kounde despite interest from a host of different clubs.
And now La Razon reckons Man Utd are ‘finally opting’ to buy Torres over Kounde. They explain that ‘although Sevilla could be open to negotiate below the 90 million listed in Koundé’s clause, Pau Torres is more affordable since his clause with Villarreal is 65 million euros.’
The Red Devils are ‘confident of acquiring the services of’ Torres ‘at a lower price’ as Man Utd ‘know that the defender wants to head to Old Trafford’.
However, La Razon add that ‘this is something that has been denied by sources close to the Spanish international’.
Meanwhile, Gary Neville thinks the Red Devils “came alive” in the second half against Tottenham as beat Jose Mourinho’s side 3-1 on Sunday.
Neville told Sky Sports: “First half nothing happened, and then all of a sudden the game came alive. The United performance in the second half was outstanding. Spurs were just not able to cope, irrespective of whether you wanted something more from them – I did, and I thought it was a really disappointing show given what was at stake for them – but United were absolutely outstanding.
“They came out second half and were just a different team, with urgency. Something sparks them and then all of a sudden they come alive.
“They can’t keep doing that, because when fans are in the stadium, if teams like Spurs get in front of them, with the fans behind them, they won’t be allowed to be as insipid as they were in the second half, Spurs.
“I think they’ve got to sort it out, Manchester United. But if you’re looking for character in a football side: winning away from home, winning from behind, winning when you’re not playing well, being good on set-pieces, those things that define resilience and good character, they’re the things you look at, and this United team have it in abundance at the moment.
“Second half they were breathtaking at times, and some of the football was brilliant.”
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