Zidane wants classy La-liga defender as FIRST Man United signing in January transfer window -Report

Zidane wants classy La-liga defender as FIRST Man United signing in January transfer window -Report

If Zinedine Zidane succeeds Erik ten Hag as manager at Old Trafford, he reportedly has one player in mind to sign as his first Manchester United signing.

United had their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, taking just eight points from their opening seven games to lie in 14th place. This has put pressure on the Dutchman’s leadership.

And while Ten Hag is still anticipated to lead the Red Devils when they play Brentford following the international break, a timeline for his potential dismissal has surfaced.

Thomas Tuchel is still the front-runner to succeed him, however reports have now surfaced indicating that former Real Madrid manager Zidane is also open to management.

And, according to a report from Spanish outlet El Nacional, Zidane wants his fellow countryman Jules Kounde to join him as his first signing at Old Trafford in the January transfer window. It’s claimed that Zidane feels it ‘would be fundamental to strengthen a defence that has shown serious weaknesses in recent months’.

The report adds that Zidane rates Kounde very highly and that he believes he would give United an immediate upgrade in their back four – whether that’s at centre-back or right-back, a position he has played a lot at the Camp Nou.

Right-back is not necessarily a position of need now after the summer addition of Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich, while Diogo Dalot is also still at the club but having to deputise down the left flank.

Central defence has remained an issue though, despite Matthijs de Ligt joining Mazraoui in making the switch from the Bundesliga. The Dutchman has so far struggled to make a positive impact at Old Trafford and was dropped from the last league outing at Aston Villa.

Man Utd still face tough task to lure Kounde
Despite Zidane’s wishes, it appears that United face an incredibly tough task to lure Kounde away from Catalonia any time soon.

The report adds that Barcelona are ‘not willing’ to let one of their most important defensive players go and that they view him as ‘untransferable’.

Meanwhile, Kounde himself is also fully committed to the new Hansi Flick project at the LaLiga giants and has no intention of seeking a move elsewhere – at this stage.

The 25-year-old has scored four goals in 98 appearances for Barca since joining from Sevilla in the summer of 2022, with his versatility proving a major asset for the Camp Nou outfit.

Indeed, despite playing the majority of his games in Seville at centre-back, Kounde has been molded into a full-back in Catalonia and his 11 appearances this season have all come in that position