Manchester United still hold an interest in RB Leipzig central defender Dayot Upamecano, but face the familiar problem of offloading surplus players before making a move.
Upamecano, 21, has established himself as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young centre-backs after starring in the Bundesliga and the Champions League last season.
ESPN reported last month the United have registered an interest in the Frenchman, despite the fact he recently committed his future to Leipzig by signing a new deal.
It is suggested in ESPN’s report that United could trigger a buyout clause in Upamecano’s contract at the end of the 2020/21 season.
And James Ducker’s article in the Telegraph addressing United’s problems after their humbling opening day league defeat to Crystal Palace has reiterated United’s interest in Upamecano.
But unfortunately for United supporters who are desperate to see the addition of a new central defender in the final two weeks of the transfer window, it is explained by the Telegraph that United will have to sell their excess defenders before pursuing Upamecano.
And predictably, the club are struggling to find buyers for forlorn defenders Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo, while Chris Smalling could still leave.
There is no indication that United are any closer to offloading any of the seven centre-backs within Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ranks in the closing days of the window.
Upamecano is exactly the type of defender United need; he is imposing, fast, adept on the ball and mature beyond his years.
But any deal seems extremely unlikely until at least next season where the Reds may have a better chance of selling their surplus stars.
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We need Upamecano preferably but second choice would be Koulibaly. Never mind the price because at the moment we do not have a CB – just Doris and Slab. We carry on like this, we won’t be in Europe next year then we definitely will not attract decent players. I hope that fool at the top reads this message.