Chelsea are set for serious battle against their Premier League rivals Manchester United as the Old Trafford club are reportedly poised to challenge the European champions for Sevilla star Jules Kounde.

The French international was heavily linked with a summer move to Stamford Bridge, ahead of the 2021/22 season, but the Blues refused to meet Sevilla’s asking price of €90m.

Chelsea are expected to revive their long term interest in him again during the January transfer window but they could be challenged in their pursuit of the 22-year-old.

According to reports from El Nacional via Football Espana, Kounde is not interested in a move to domestic rivals Real Madrid, and instead wants to test himself in England.

The Sevilla defender would prefer joining Manchester United to Chelsea.

That’s the claim from El Nacional, who even suggest the 22-year-old has asked his agent to hold talks with the Red Devils.

Kounde helped France win the Nations League this month, having joined Sevilla for £20million from Bordeaux two years ago.

United are likely to be in the market for another defender in the coming months despite bringing in Raphael Varane from Los Blancos in September.

Kounde remains under contract at the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan until 2024, and despite Sevilla previously sticking to his €90m release clause, they could now lower that to around €70-75m.