Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou during the summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old recently enjoyed glory on the international stage, helping Ivory Coast to lift the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Nigeria in the final.
Kossounou has also played a key part for his club side, featuring in 15 Bundesliga matches for Leverkusen, finding the net on a single occasion.
Xabi Alonso's men are shocking world football with their unbeaten run in the German top flight, and they currently sit eight points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich.
According to Sport BILD via Goal, Manchester United and Tottenham could enter the race for Kossounou's services ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
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The report claims that Leverkusen would demand around €50m (£42.7m) for the signature of the Ivorian, who is helping his team towards the Bundesliga crown.
Kossounou made the switch to the BayArena from Belgian Pro League outfit Club Brugge in the summer of 2021 for a fee close to £20m.
Since then, the centre-back has made 88 appearances across domestic and continental competitions for Alonso's men, scoring on the one occasion.
It is understood that Erik ten Hag's side are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer, especially considering that a first-team centre-back could be on the way out.
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Raphael Varane's contract at Old Trafford expires at the conclusion of the season, and it has been reported that the Red Devils will not extend his deal by a further 12 months.
It has been widely reported that United are keen on securing the services of Jarrad Branthwaite, who has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign for Everton in the Premier League this campaign.
Spurs had plenty of success recruiting for their backline during Ange Postecoglou's maiden transfer window at the club, signing Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.
Despite a drop-off in results during recent months following injuries to key players such as James Maddison, Tottenham are still in contention for a top-four spot, currently sitting two points behind Unai Emery's Aston Villa.
Carter White
