Manchester United identify Ligue 1 star as perfect Harry Maguire partner
Manchester United need to bolster their defence.
Ever since taking over the reins permanently at Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified defence as the area which needed addressing the most. Going by the business in the summer, Red Devils spent over 120m on Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The Maguire-Wan-Bissaka pair have been effective as Red Devils have over 20 clean sheets this season across competitions. During this process, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, and Mateo Darmian have been moved on from the club to change the look of United’s back-four.
Despite significant investment 12 months ago, there are a few loose ends that need to be consolidated as Manchester United are on their march towards the elite realms of European football.
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Solskjaer’s management contingent alongside the data analysts, to embellish United’s defence, have identified a left-footed centre-back, blessed with pace and ball composure, as the missing link alongside Harry Maguire.
Previously, in a list of aforementioned profile, Manchester United were linked with Alessio Romagnoli, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Nathan Ake- who Solskjaer, himself, denied signing this summer.
"“I’ve got seven centre-backs,”“I don’t know where that’s come from. We’re fine.” (quotes via Simon Peach)"
On the lookout for cheaper alternatives to optimise spending amid current economic status-quo, Man United have identified Lille OSC centre-back, Gabriel Magalhaes, as the candidate who could feature alongside Harry Maguire at the heart of Red’s defence, reports Daily Record’s Duncan Castles.
In terms of the transfer fee, it is believed that Les Dogues have priced their defensive asset in the region of 23 million Euros. For Magalhaes, earlier, Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, and Napoli, too, were said to be in the race to lure Brazilian’s services.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with his eyes set on Jadon Sancho, has to look out for cheaper options to reinforce other areas of the pitch as Man United look to maintain their net spend in the radar of £70m-80m. A sizeable amount of first-team departures are expected, too, in the impending summer market.
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