Manchester United are hot on the heels of Sevilla's £60million-rated centre-back Jules Kounde.
And Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made the 22-year-old French centre-back his first choice summer transfer target as he continues to build for the future.
The Old Trafford boss sees Kounde as the ideal long-term partner for captain Harry Maguire, at £80 million the world's most expensive defender.
Kounde has grown in stature since his £22 million arrival at Seville from Bordeaux 18 months ago.
The French youngster has emerged as one of La Liga's most promising defensive talents with skills which have earned him rave reviews across Europe.
Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid are all trailing Kounde who has caught the eye with his pace, athleticism, positional acumen and reading of the game.
Solskjaer and his stars had a close-up view of Kounde's ability in Seville's 2-1 Europa League semi-final win over United in Cologne last August before the Spaniards went on to lift the trophy beating Inter Milan.
Kounde was on their radar before that and United have continued to track his progress this season with Seville on the coat-tails of Spain's big three Real Madrid, Barcelona and current leaders Atletico Madrid.
United aren't short of centre-halves but a reliable partner for Maguire has now become a priority – as long as the incoming star fits the profile of the type of players the club are determined to recruit.
That means young, talented and ambitious – with Kounde ticking every box.
Solskjaer has rotated Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe alongside Maguire at the heart of United's defence.
Injury-prone Phil Jones is likely to be sold in the summer while 18-year-old Teden Mengi is considered one for the future.
Kounde is seen by United's coaches as the perfect option as Solskjaer attempts to steer this squad to the next level.
The United boss has been told he will have money to spend on a centre back - if the club can move defenders like Jones and Marcus Rojo and goalkeeper Sergio Romero off the wage bill.
