Jules Kounde insists he is in no rush to leave Sevilla at the end of the season despite links with several European heavyweights, though he accepts not everything will be in his control.
Kounde, 21, joined Sevilla from Bordeaux last year in a deal that could reach €25million, which would make the centre-back the club’s record signing.
The Frenchman has enjoyed an impressive adaptation and cemented himself as a regular partner for Diego Carlos, who, like Kounde, arrived from Ligue 1 last year and is attracting significant interest.
Kounde’s impressive performances in the recent Europa League victories over Roma and Wolves have contributed to even greater exposure and admiration.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are just two of the clubs said to be interested in the France Under-21 international, who is reported to have a release clause greater than €75m.
Up next for Sevilla is a semi-final showdown with Manchester United, giving Kounde another opportunity to catch the eye, and while he sees it a good thing to be interesting other clubs, he is relaxed about the future.
“It is always good that you interest teams, be it Diego or myself,” he told Marca. “We are very focused on winning this cup. I don’t look at other teams.
“I’m good at Sevilla. Next year we are going to play in the Champions League and we all deserve it. I am very focused and very happy here.
“It is something that I control, but sometimes there are parameters that do not depend on me. I do not look away [from Sevilla].”
Despite Sevilla’s pedigree in the competition and their 19-match unbeaten run, Kounde does not think Los Nervionenses will be considered favourites by most.
“I do not know if we are favourites. For most people I don’t think so,” he added. “But we don’t care.
“Nobody wants to go to the final and win the cup as much as we do. We will give everything on the pitch. In the end, when we give everything, we can beat any team.”
Sevilla are unbeaten in 19 matches in all competitions @SevillaFC | #UEL pic.twitter.com/rfRBavDRqS
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) August 14, 2020
Sunday’s contest will see Kounde come up against fellow Frenchmen Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial and he considers himself very familiar with the latter.
He said: “I have seen [Martial] play many times. He is a very good forward, very complete. Powerful, fast, skilful with the ball and we are sure that we will have to be very aware, as with Adama [Traore, against Wolves], even if he is another level of power.
“Diego and I will have to talk a lot. We cannot leave him spaces.”
On Pogba, Kounde added: “He is an important player, a reference in world football. He has a lot of quality, one of the best midfielders in the world and is very important in the France team.
“Their individuals are very powerful, but we focus on the collective and ourselves. We know what United represents in the world, they are a reference.”
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