Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly joined other top European clubs in the pursuit of Feyenoord right-back Rick Karsdorp
Italian publication Calciomercato are claiming that Arsenal and Manchester United are showing interest in in-form Feyenoord right-back Rick Karsdorp. The 21-year-old has been impressive for Feyenoord as the Dutch giants are runaway leaders of the current Eredivisie campaign, and he is now attracting interest from a host of top European clubs.
Rick Karsdorp is a 21-year-old Dutch right-back who has come up through the ranks at Feyenoord. The player, despite his nascent age, has racked up 59 appearances for the clubs’ first-team so far and has even made his senior international debut for Netherlands, with two senior caps to his name.
Karsdorp has the ability to play as a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder as well, adding further value to his portfolio. The 21-year-old has become a mainstay in the Feyenoord defence, starting all games and featuring in every minute of the club’s Eredivisie campaign thus far with a more than decent return of 1 goal and 3 assists to his name.
Manchester United have been on the lookout for a natural right-back to add to their roster, with Jose Mourinho currently choosing to deploy Antonio Valencia, a natural winger, at the right-back position. Matteo Darmian, an out-and-out right-back, has been deployed sparingly by the Portuguese manager this season.
The player featured against United in the Europa League this season and it looks like his performances have impressed the Red Devils and their manager, especially in Feyenoord’s home game, where the Dutch defence held firmly against United to secure a clean sheet and a narrow 1-0 win over the Premier League heavyweights.
The Red Devils have been linked with many top right-backs around Europe with the likes of Joao Cancelo continuously rumoured as a potential January addition to the squad. Arsenal, on the other hand, are facing a fresh adversity with first-choice and second choice right-backs, Hector Bellerin and Mathieu Debuchy out injured, while Carl Jenkinson has failed to impress in the chances provided by Wenger.
Both the clubs are ready to fight it out for the 21-year-old in order to earn a January transfer for the player. But the Premier League duo are not alone in the pursuit of Karsdorp.
The likes of Bayern Munich, AS Monaco and Inter Milan are all reportedly interested in a deal to sign Rick Karsdorp and the interest of so many top clubs, combined with the player’s current deal running till 2020, is sure to drive the asking price up, if Feyenoord are to consider selling the player.
However, Arsenal and Manchester United seem to present the best opportunity to gain playing time with both the clubs struggling in the right-back department. It will be interesting to see what price Feyenoord quote or finally settle for.
For now, though, Rick Karsdorp would be focused on his performance but it is pretty certain that, cone January, there could be a long queue of clubs in line for the 21-year-old, who looks set for a long and successful career.
