Manchester United have reportedly enquired over the availability of Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra this summer.
According to Catalan Journalist Gerard Romero, Manchester United are scouring the possibility of bringing Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Bartra over to Old Trafford in the summer. The former Barcelona centre-back has shockingly emerged as a target for Red Devils, despite the arrival of Victor Lindelof.
Marc Bartra is one of the many graduates of the La Masia academy at Barcelona that left the club in search of more regular game-time. However, the player managed to rack up 103 senior appearances for the club before leaving for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016.
In his debut campaign in the Bundesliga, Bartra has done a commendable job with 31 appearances under Thomas Tuchel. The player was forced to sit out the last few games of the season with an arm injury, sustained in the blast near the club’s travelling bus.
Bartra, though, managed to recover in time to start in Dortmund’s German Cup win – a 2-1 defeat of Eintracht Frankfurt – and seems to be back to full fitness. Although, with a new coach – Peter Bosz – at the helm, the player’s spot may be under threat.
AS are linking United with a move for Marc Bartra… Another central defender? Not sure about that… ? pic.twitter.com/7soULlu2uH
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) July 3, 2017
Manchester United secured the signing of Victor Lindelof, which means the club now has as many as seven central defenders – Eric Bailly, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Daley Blind, Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe.
However, Jose Mourinho is looking to offload the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling while Daley Blind could end up serving as backup to the left side of the defence. Hence, with just four specialist central defenders to pick from – three during the start of the season, with Marcos Rojo out for the long haul – Mourinho is now targeting Bartra.
Indeed, Bartra can play both as a centre-back and a right-back while his agility and ability on the ball can be a huge asset, at least on a rotation basis if not as a starter.
It is expected that the former Barcelona man will be eager to sit down with his current club and talk about assurances over his role at the club. And, if the player feels he will be a squad player at Dortmund, he may prefer doing so at Manchester United instead of staying in Germany.
At this point, the player has three years left on his deal at Dortmund and United would have to part with a considerable amount for the player. However, if Peter Bosz decides Bartra is not an indispensable member of the squad, we may just see Bartra head to the Old Trafford.
