Manchester City will attempt to sign one of Sevilla’s Jules Kounde or Villarreal’s Pau Torres should Nathan Ake complete a move to Chelsea, reports from ESPN.
Should a move be finalized before the end of the summer, City will look to immediately bolster their defensive options and the two men on top of their list are Torres and Kounde.
Villarreal values Pau Torres at around €60m, which can be negotiated to €50m should a bid be tabled while Sevilla have slapped a whopping €80m on Kounde.
Although Chelsea are also in the mix to sign Kounde, they only view him as an alternative to Nathan Ake, meaning a bidding war wouldn’t arise when City makes their move.
Barcelona are interested in the French international as they look to find a long term replacement for Gerard Pique as well as to find a solution for Samuel Umtiti.
On the other hand, Pau Torres is also highly favored to replace Ake because he’s left-footed as Ake is while Kounde is right footed. There are also a number of top clubs eyeing a move for the Spaniard but he has been mute so far.
While City primary target is still Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, a move for either of these centre backs cannot be ruled out if Ake departs.