Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in La Liga on Thursday, December 31.

Thursday morning's La Liga transfer talk news roundup:

Manchester United 'interested in signing Jules Kounde'

Manchester United have reportedly identified Sevilla's Jules Kounde as a transfer target.

The centre-back was strongly linked with a move to Manchester City during the summer transfer window, but the Citizens were unable to agree a price with the 22-year-old's Spanish club.

According to Mundo Deportivo, United also have an interest in the former France Under-21s international, who has scored twice in 18 appearances for Julen Lopetegui's side during the 2020-21 campaign.

The report claims that the 20-time English champions view Kounde as a leading target at the back, although Villarreal's Pau Torres, Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu, Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak and Brighton & Hove Albion's Ben White are also being considered.

Sevilla are in a strong position when it comes to the Frenchman's future as he has a contract at Estadio Ramon until June 2024 with a release clause thought to be in the region of €80m (£72m).

United are allegedly keen to shift both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in 2021 before bringing a new central defender to the club to battle the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe.

Barcelona 'to extend Riqui Puig contract until June 2023'

Barcelona are reportedly planning to extend Riqui Puig's contract at Camp Nou until June 2023.

The 21-year-old's future has been the subject of debate in recent months as his current deal with Ronald Koeman's side is due to expire at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Barca have the option of activating a two-year extension, though, and according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan giants will be ensuring that the midfielder cannot leave on a free transfer next summer.

Romano also claims that Koeman's team are not currently looking to loan out the Spaniard during the January window despite a lack of action this term.

Puig, who came through the club's youth system, has only played four minutes of La Liga football this season, but he did feature on three occasions in the group stages of the Champions League.

Both Arsenal and Manchester City are allegedly interested in his services.

More transfer news from La Liga:

Manchester United lining up Max Aarons bid?
Norwich City defender Max Aarons emerges as a transfer target for Manchester United, according to a report. Read more.

Out-of-contract XI 2020-21 - Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Aguero
Sports Mole picks a combined XI of players who are set to become free agents when their contracts at their respective clubs expire in the summer of 2021. Read more.

Manchester United 'could sign Max Aarons for £20m next summer'
Manchester United could sign Norwich City defender Max Aarons for £20m next summer, according to a report. Read more.

Barcelona 'will sign Erling Braut Haaland if Emili Rousaud wins presidential election'
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland will join Barcelona if Emili Rousaud becomes the Catalan club's new president, claims the candidate's aide. Read more.

Barcelona 'could lose out to Juventus for Memphis Depay'
Juventus could beat Barcelona to the signature of Lyon attacker Memphis Depay, according to a report. Read more.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 'will attempt to sign Georginio Wijnaldum'
Wolverhampton Wanderers will make an attempt to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, according to a report. Read more.

Arsenal 'could move for Christian Eriksen in January'
Arsenal could move for Inter Milan attacker Christian Eriksen in January, according to a report. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'to stay at Barcelona until 2023'
Lionel Messi is reportedly ready to stay on at Barcelona until 2023 before moving to the United States to play for David Beckham's Inter Miami. Read more.

Tottenham Hotspur 'want to sign Diego Costa in January'
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning a January offer to sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Read more.

Etienne Capoue leaves Watford to join Villarreal
The 32-year-old has agreed a contract until June 2023 with the LaLiga club. Read more.