With just over a week until the transfer window slams shut Manchester United’s need to sign a top-quality centre-back remains.
Harry Maguire’s name is appearing with more regularity, although it seems as though the Red Devils are creating contingency plans just in case the deal doesn’t materialise.
The latest story comes from Mundo Deportivo, translated by the Daily Mirror, who’re stating that United are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old Samuel Umtiti as an alternative to Maguire should the move fall through.
Eric Bailly’s knee injury has forced United to widen their search, with interest revived in Umtiti who has recently come back from serious injury himself.
The French centre-half could prove a cheaper option for Maguire, with the Reds ready to offer €50m (£45m) to FC Barcelona for his services, although the Catalan giants will (rightly) not let him leave on the cheap.
There’s also the domino effect to consider. If Umtiti leaves Barca would need to find a replacement and again, with time running down, that’s easier said than done.
I like Umtiti as a player but is another injury-prone defender really what we need right now? We have our fair share of those already and for me, Maguire’s Premier League experience is worth the price-tag.
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