Date published: Tuesday 1st September 2020 1:30
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has his work cut out if he wants to convince the Man Utd board to sign RB Leipzig defender Dayot Upamecano, according to a report.
Reports have claimed that the Red Devils plan to strengthen their central defence as a priority this summer. As such, they have targeted the powerful and skilful RB Leipzig defender.
The 21-year-old proved himself one of Europe’s outstanding defenders this season. He was a key man as Julian Nagelsmann’s side reached the Champions League semi-finals.
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United’s chances of landing him appeared to be over last month when he signed a new deal with the Bundesliga side. That tied him to the club until 2023. More significantly, it upped his exit clause to €60m.
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— RB Leipzig (@DieRotenBullen) August 31, 2020
However, reports in Germany claim the new deal includes a release clause of €42m. That comes into affect at the end of the 2020/21 season.
As per ESPN, Solskjaer wants the deal done now after identifying Upamecano as Harry Maguire’s dream partner. As such, he is pushing Ed Woodward to sanction the €60m (£53.7m) transfer now.
However, the Daily Telegraph reports that the Man Utd board have two reservations over the deal.
Firstly, the report states Woodward is unsure about spending £53.7m now on a player available for £37.4m next summer.
Secondly, United’s board are concerned whether Upamecano can be relied on to start every week in the Premier League at such a young age,. That’s despite Solskjaer putting youth at the forefront of his Old Trafford rebuild.
Furthermore, United’s board want the club to offload their unwanted defenders before signing another. Solskjaer has a plethora of centre-halves at his disposal and the club needs to lighten the load.
That could mean the likes of Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones all leaving. There is also Leeds United interest in Axel Tuanzebe and that could also boost their coffers.