Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, who is also a target for Newcastle United.
According to a report from Fussball Transfers, Manchester United and Newcastle United are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund centre-back Dan-Axel Zagadou, with the Red Devils already taking steps to bring him to Old Trafford.
Zagadou came through the youth ranks at Paris Saint-Germain but never made a first-team appearance for the French giants and made the switch to Borussia Dortmund in 2017, aged just 18. While he is a promising, young defender, Zagadou has been hampered by injuries throughout his stint in Germany.
In over four years at Signal Iduna Park, the 22-year-old has featured just 80 times, chipping in with four goals and an assist. To put his injury woes in context, Zagadou has missed 77 matches with the Black and Yellows over the past four-and-a-half seasons.
Despite his injury woes, the youngster continues to be held in high regard, with Manchester United showing an interest in securing his services. The report claims that interim manager and transfer consultant Ralf Rangnick is the driving force behind the Red Devils’ interest in the Frenchman, having tried to bring him to RB Leipzig in 2017, before Zagadou’s move to Dortmund.
Manchester United have a packed defensive department with Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, who has been reintegrated into the first team. In addition, youngster Teden Mengi is also knocking on the doors while Axel Tuanzebe will be back from his loan spell in the summer.
Despite the options available, the 20-time English champions have hardly looked solid and assured at the back. And Rangnick could decide to switch things up to build a team in his own image. The German is keen on using his deep knowledge of Bundesliga football to bring in players from the German top-flight, as indicated by the links to Amadou Haidara, Luca Netz, Tyler Adams and Florian Wirtz, among others.
Zagadou has, thus, emerged as a target for Manchester United. The report even adds that the Red Devils have already established contact with his agent, Moussa Sissoko, to explore the possibility of a move when his contract expires at the end of the season. However, the Red Devils will have to battle Newcastle United in pursuit of the Frenchman.
The Magpies are desperately scouring the market for defensive reinforcements and have shown an interest in Zagadou. Given their urgent need to strengthen the backline, Eddie Howe’s side could very well attempt to sign the 22-year-old from Dortmund in a cut-price deal this month. The report also mentions that an extension with the Bundesliga outfit cannot be ruled out.
So, Manchester United will have a huge challenge at their hands to complete the signing of the ex-PSG starlet.
