Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus are reportedly in a three-way tussle to sign Thomas Meunier from PSG.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Thomas Meunier is set to spark a transfer battle for his services in the winter transfer window. The Belgian defender is desperate to leave PSG in January in search of regular first-team football.
Meunier only joined PSG last summer following an impressive five-year spell at Club Brugge. The player gradually established himself as the first-choice right-back at Parc des Princes, leapfrogging Serge Aurier in the second half of the 2016-17 season, amassing 36 appearances in all.
However, the arrival of Dani Alves has seen him become second-choice, having featured in just six of the 14 fixtures that Les Parisiens have played this season. Meunier has still been a healthy contributor to his team’s cause, with three goals and two assists, while also being a solid customer at the back.
But, the player is not pleased with his reduced role this season, and has recently made his frustrations clear. Therefore, his time with the French heavyweights could be set to come to an end after just 18 months. There’s no dearth of interest in him either, with the likes of Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus vying for his signature.
Juventus, Manchester United, Real Madrid are all interested in Thomas Meunier (26), The Belgian is unhappy at PSG. [Mundo Deportivo] pic.twitter.com/l9wKF8JmJR
— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuve2017) October 29, 2017
At Manchester United, Antonio Valencia has taken to the role of right-back with aplomb under Jose Mourinho, and has been one of the most consistent defenders for the Red Devils since the start of the 2016-17 season.
But, with the Ecuadorian on the wrong side of 30, Mourinho is on the lookout for a top right-back who could fill the void when Valencia calls it a day at Old Trafford, making Meunier a viable target. Meanwhile, Real Madrid have also been following the player’s progress for a long time.
Los Blancos were in the market for the Belgian defender in the summer to replace Danilo, who joined Manchester City. With Dani Carvajal struggling with heart problems, and Achraf Hakimi deemed not ready to be a regular in the first-team setup, Real Madrid could make a move for Meunier again.
But, Juventus could win the race to sign the player, having failed to replace Dani Alves adequately in the summer. The Bianconeri did sign Mattia De Sciglio in the summer, but the Italian hasn’t been a consistent performer, with Stephan Lichtsteiner the first-choice right-back.
Meunier, with his qualities, would be a definite upgrade over the two defenders, meaning he would potentially be able to secure regular first-team football in no time, which would help him command a permanent berth in the Belgium National Side.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid are unlikely to enter the market for a first-team player in the winter transfer window, effectively making it a head-to-head battle between Manchester United and Juventus. It now remains to be seen if either club manages to sign Meunier in January, or if PSG succeed in keeping hold of him.
