Odilon Kossounou to Manchester United transfer links, player profile and analysis

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Manchester United are now interested in snapping up Bayer Leverkusen defender Odilon Kossounou for the summer transfer window.

We would expect to see United sign a new centre back at the end of the season.

Question marks linger over the futures of Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof whilst Harry Maguire may not be the long-term answer.

A host of centre backs have already been linked with United and a new name can be added to the list in Bayer Leverkusen’s Odilon Kossounou.

Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg reports that United are looking at Kossounou and whilst he isn’t a top target right now, he is on the wish list for the summer transfer window.

Kossounou may not be a big name right now, so let’s take a deep dive into the Ivorian defender…

Odilon Kossounou, the story so far

Kossounou was born in Abidjan in the Ivory Coast and started his career in the ranks of ASEC Mimosas, one of the biggest clubs in the Ivory Coast.

The likes of Didier Zokora, Emmanuel Eboue, Gervinho, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure and Yaya Toure all came through the ASEC Mimosas ranks and went on to shine around Europe.

Kossounou is one of their latest success stories, emerging as a young player before heading to Sweden with Hammarby in 2019.

The 6ft 3in defender only spent a few months in Sweden though, earning a move to Belgian giants Club Brugge after just 13 appearances for Hammarby.

The potential was clear and Kossounou’s rise continued as he earned a 2021 move to Bayer Leverkusen with the Bundesliga club paying around £25million to land him.

Kossounou has been on an incredible rise and is now a key player for a title-chasing Leverkusen side, recording 88 appearances for Xabi Alonso’s men.

Odilon Kossounou player profile

• Age: 23
• Date of birth: 04/01/2001
• Position: Defender
• Club: Bayer Leverkusen
• Former clubs: ASEC Mimosas, Hammarby IF, Club Brugge
• Nationality: Ivorian
• Contract: Until June 2026

Odilon Kossounou, what they say

“He’s really quick, agile, strong in the challenge, technically good and still hasn’t realised his full potential. He has everything needed to play an important role in our team,” – Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes.

“Odilon Kossounou fits in perfectly with us. A central defender with impressive dynamism and body language plus great potential in the game. He will do very well for us in the next few years.” – ex-Leverkusen striker Rudi Völler.

“For me he is a complete defender, very fast as he demonstrated last year in the Champions League against a certain Mbappe,” – Agent Patrick Mork.

Odilon Kossounou to Manchester United analysis

United need to add more athleticism at the back and Kossounou certainly fits the bill.

The centre back is an imposing figure at 6ft 3in tall and has seriously impressive pace for a centre back.

Kossounou isn’t the finished product at 23 but he could be a fine partner for Lisandro Martinez in the long term.

Kossounou can also play at right back too, meaning he offers a little bit of versatility in defence.

A January deal won’t be on the cards but Kossounou could finish the season as a title winner and we would certainly like to see him form part of a new United back line moving forward.