Manchester United have “significantly improved” their bid to prize Jules Kounde away from Barcelona – but Ruben Amorim’s prospects of making the France star his first signing have been hit by a stunning valuation, reports in Spain claim, and with the news about the tight budget. will probably have to work with.

A new era is underway at Old Trafford after Amorim was chosen as Erik ten Hag’s successor. Sixth permanent appointment to Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s exit, Amorim will take charge for the first time when the Red Devils travel to Suffolk to face Ipswich at Portman Road on Sunday.

Given that Amorim has a penchant for playing in a 3-4-3 formation and is expected to introduce the new set-up immediately, he will quickly get a feel for who is suited to operate in this way and which players do – and i do no – it fits the system.

As a result, it is not surprising to see love being linked with a variety of signings to bring his plans to reality at Old Trafford.

And with United having already seen an offer for Kounde quit in the summer, a new report claims they are on the verge of receiving a bid from Barcelona to bring the France defender to Old Trafford.

On El NacionalAmorim is desperate to sign a new right-back and believes Kounde would be ideal to play in the right-back role for United. And after an opening bid failed, it is now claimed that United have “significantly improved” their offer to €68m (£56.7m, $71.7m) in a bid to tempt Barcelona to make a deal.

However, it is claimed that Barcelona have once again rejected United’s bid, with Kounde “now considered a mainstay and an essential piece” of Hansi Flick’s side.

Now considered “one of the leaders of the team” and that’s why they “will not consider any offer” that comes his way.

Indeed, it claims to have warned Amorim and United that the “only way” to get Kounde out of Barcelona is to “pay his full release clause”, which stands at €1 billion, making any move “prohibitive ” and ensuring that United will have to forget about a deal.

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Man Utd have limited January budget to help Amorim

While United will be keen to get Amorim the signings he needs to help turn around the club’s fortunes, it is understood the Red Devils boss will be operating on a shoestring budget in the January window.

To this end, it is claimed that United is under “huge pressure” to cut costs further to remain in compliance with Profitability and Sustainability (PSR) rules. As a result, Amorim will have to work with a reduced budget compared to his predecessor Ten Hag.

Worse, it is warned that this will also take a few windows, with the 39-year-old immediately emphasizing the need to better improve the players he inherits.

As a result, talk of big-money signings – certainly immediate – is said to be likely to be at hand.

Money can be generated through player sales and further reductions in the wage bill, with high earners Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Harry Maguire and potentially Marcus Rashford at risk of the ax and fighting for their long-term futures.

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With modest additions likely to be the order of the month in January, United are reportedly ‘leading the race’ for Rosenborg wonderkid Sverre Nypanwho admitted it would be a “dream” to play for the Red Devils.

The 17-year-old is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Europe and is understood to favor a move to Old Trafford over a host of alternative suitors chasing his signature.

Rosenborg manager Mikael Dorsin previously suggested Nypan would soon be worth €100m after comparing the star to Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard.

Meanwhile, with Eriksen’s days at United seemingly numbered and with Fabrizio Romano confirming that he will not be offered a new dealthe Danish star appears to have lined up his next move with a familiar face clamoring for his signature.

This is after reports support it Jose Mourinho wants to bring the experienced midfielder to Fenerbahce in the winter window, believing there was an opportunity to lure him to a cut-price deal.

Fener already have former United man Sofyan Amrabat patrolling the midfield and are now expected to move to bring Eriksen alongside him.

Elsewhere, it has been claimed that Luke Shaw and Rashford are both “fighting for their United future” under Amorim.

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