Manchester United cleared to sign £26m transfer target in major boost | Football
Manchester United have received a boost in their ongoing search for a right-back, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly ready to sell Julian Ryerson at the end of the season.
After signing Senne Lammens and spending £200million to reinforce their misfiring frontline last summer, United’s hierarchy have begun work behind the scenes to further strengthen the squad.
Amid uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position, the Red Devils have identified central midfield as their top priority ahead of the transfer window, with the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali all linked.
Reports this week suggest Casemiro has personally endorsed a move for Tonali’s Newcastle team-mate Bruno Guimaraes as his ideal replacement when he makes his way out of Old Trafford.
But United are also believed to scouring the transfer market for an attack-minded wing-back to compete with Diogo Dalot on the right, with Noussair Mazraoui still yet to provide a goal or assist in the Premier League this season.
According to German publication Bild, United are ‘seriously interested’ in Ryerson, who is enjoying another excellent campaign with Dortmund.
Ryerson’s tally of 11 assists in 21 games has been instrumental in second-placed Dortmund opening up an imperious six-point lead over nearest rivals Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga table. Only Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have provided more assists in the German top flight this term.
Your football fix
Metro‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
Sign up here, it’s an open goal.
However, Dortmund’s failure to reach the Champions League last 16 is set to have ‘significant consequences’, resulting in revenue losses of up to €27million (£23.5m), and Ryerson could be sold to ‘close the financial gap’.
It’s claimed ‘a decision has been made’ and BVB would entertain the idea of selling Ryerson should they receive an offer in the region of €30m (£26m) from a potential suitor.
Given Ryerson’s consistent performances over his four-year stay at the Westfalenstadion, the 28-year-old is now a ‘highly sought-after’ player on the transfer market, with Newcastle, and Barcelona also admirers.
The report adds that ‘as many as 11 first-team players’ could leave Dortmund at the end of the season, including the likes of Nico Schlotterbeck, Serhou Guirassy, Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha.
Ryerson’s current contract with Dortmund runs through to June 2028.
The in-form full-back, who is also comfortable playing at centre-half, has a golden opportunity to put himself front and centre in the shop window when representing Norway at this year’s World Cup.
Addressing his impressive assists contribution ahead of BVB’s Champions League play-off with Atalanta, Ryerson explained: ‘I think it’s been an improvement from my side to be honest.’
‘Over the last couple of seasons, I felt a little bit unlucky with the amount of assists and chances, but this season it’s been good numbers.
‘It’s something I try to improve in my game. I can always improve myself and this is one area that I’m still trying to improve.’
Should Man Utd bid £26m for Ryerson this summer?
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Arsenal star compared to Wayne Rooney will ‘probably’ be sold this summer
MORE: Premier League confirm date for Man City vs Arsenal title showdown
MORE: Paul Scholes makes surprising claim over two Arsenal stars in fresh title prediction
Manchester United cleared to sign £26m transfer target in major boost | Football
#Manchester #United #cleared #sign #26m #transfer #target #major #boost #Football
