Mauricio Pochettino wants Man Utd transfer moves for Kieran Trippier and Jules Kounde if he takes over as manager

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has already decided on his first two signings as Manchester United boss, according to reports.

PSG boss Pochettino, 49, has become the frontrunner to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd manager following his sacking on Sunday morning.

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But the Argentine has that he will be able to strengthen the squad, having already identified his two main targets.

claims Pochettino is keen to add Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, 23, to the defensive ranks at Old Trafford to help shore up their leaky backline.

The France international has starred for Julen Lopetegui's Sevilla side for the last two seasons, helping them achieve back-to-back top four finishes.

Sevilla have an impressive record of conceding on average less than one goal-per-game since Kounde joined in 2019 from Bordeaux for a fee of around £21m.

And with Raphael Varane struggling with injuries and Harry Maguire wildly out of form, Kounde would provide some much needed stability at centre-back.

Chelsea are also highly interested in Kounde and previously close to signing him, having had a bid of £42.8m rejected in the summer.

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But the Spanish club are refusing to accept a penny less than his £68.5m release clause, but will reportedly not stand in his way if this figure is met.

At £68.5m, Kounde would become United's fifth most expensive signing ever, but the club may need to clear out some dead wood before splashing out again.

Pochettino is also a huge admirer of Kieran Trippier, having already worked with him for four years at Tottenham.

The former Spurs boss signed Trippier from Burnley for just £3.5m back in 2015, with the full-back going on to make 114 appearances throughout Poch's reign.

The 31-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Man Utd in the summer, and Trippier was reportedly so confident of a move that he was house hunting.

But the Red Devils were reluctant to meet Atletico Madrid's £34m asking price and after their £18m bid was rejected, they decided to stick with Diogo Dalot.

Dalot had been reportedly set to join Borussia Dortmund, but United pulled the plug on the move when became clear that a deal could not be made for Trippier.

But with United's recent defensive woes and Trippier's impressive displays of late for both club and country, they could be tempted to change their minds.

And suggest that if United can guarantee the funds necessary to secure those two signings, Pochettino will be more easily persuaded to join.

The appointment also hangs on whether PSG are able to persuade former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane to replace him at the Parc des Princes.

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And the Parisian club have reportedly already reached out to Zidane in anticipation of the Red Devils making their move for Pochettino.

Zidane reportedly rejected the chance to take on the managerial vacancy at Old Trafford, amid claims he does not believe he is ready for the Premier League.

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