Barcelona and Manchester United will reportedly have the chance to sign 30-year-old Belgian defender Thomas Meunier from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, intermediaries have offered Barcelona and Manchester United the chance to secure the services of Thomas Meunier in the ongoing transfer window. But Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund do not want to part ways with the 30-year-old defender this summer, as per Sebastian Kehl.
Thomas Meunier joined Borussia Dortmund from Paris Saint-Germain nearly two years ago, filling the void left by the departure of Achraf Hakimi at the Signal Iduna Park. And while the Belgian defender has not been as influential as the Moroccan international, he has done well to overcome a few fitness issues to become the Bundesliga club’s first-choice right-back.
The 30-year-old has turned out 62 times for Borussia Dortmund while chipping in with three goals and seven assists. And Meunier’s exploits for the Bundesliga giants have not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several European bigwigs, with intermediaries offering him to Barcelona and Manchester United.
Barcelona and Manchester United are both in the market for a right-back this summer, with the two clubs chasing a few mutual targets, including Vanderson and Malo Gusto. Meunier might also be another such option for both clubs, with the Belgian international capable of settling down immediately.
Borussia Dortmund director Kehl on Thomas Meunier: “We currently see no reason to sell Meunier. That's not in our plans”, told Ruhr Nachrichten via @BVBBuzz. ?? #BVB
Meunier has been proposed to Man Utd and Barça but no official bids submitted yet. pic.twitter.com/VBoev0are8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 18, 2022
Recent reports had already claimed that intermediaries had offered Manchester United the chance to sign Meunier. And according to Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona will have the same opportunity as they continue their search for Dani Alves’s replacement following the Brazilian’s departure as a free agent this summer.
Cesar Azpilicueta was Barcelona’s priority target to replace Alves, but the Chelsea captain has committed the next couple of years of his career to the west London club. Meunier has reportedly emerged as a target for Barcelona, and the opportunity to sign him might come at the perfect time.
But with Manchester United also in the equation, the Catalan giants need to be decisive in their movements. However, Borussia Dortmund might not cash in on the 30-year-old defender, with the Bundesliga club’s director Sebastian Kehl insisting that Meunier is not for sale. So it will be interesting to see if the Belgian international departs from the Signal Iduna Park this summer.
