Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping tabs on Olympique Lyon defender Joachim Andersen who has been impressive on loan at Fulham this term.
According to a report from The Telegraph, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have taken an interest in Fulham’s on-loan centre-back Joachim Andersen ahead of the summer transfer window.
Andersen, 24, spent the formative years of his footballing career in his homeland, Denmark, before making the switch to the Netherlands where he signed for FC Twente in 2013. Having risen through the ranks at the club, the centre-back went on to impress with the first-team following which he was snapped up by Italian outfit Sampdoria in 2017.
Two years later, Andersen signed for Lyon and was largely a regular in the side over the course of the 2019/20 campaign. However, last summer saw the 24-year-old make a loan switch to Premier League outfit Fulham. After having battled with injuries early in his spell at Craven Cottage, the Dane has grown into a key member of Scott Parker’s side, so much so that he has been promoted to the role of captain.
So far this term, Andersen has featured 25 times in the Premier League for the London club and has essayed a vital role in keeping their hopes of survival from relegation alive. And his leadership and performances have now attracted him to quite a few admirers in England, with Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur as well as Leicester City said to be keeping tabs on him.
Heading into the summer transfer window, Manchester United have been linked with a host of centre-backs, including Ibrahima Konate, as they look for an ideal, long-term partner for club captain Harry Maguire. Victor Lindelof, for all his positive qualities, continues to struggle against physical forwards and has had to battle injury problems this term, while Eric Bailly’s fitness woes make him an unreliable option.
With Phil Jones not in the manager’s plans and Axel Tuanzebe not experienced enough at this level, making a move for another centre-back makes a lot of sense for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & co. And, Andersen, considering how well he has adapted to the Premier League in his debut season, is seen as a viable target by the 20-time English champions.
Tottenham, too, are in the market for defensive reinforcements considering that their backline has often flattered to deceive this term. Toby Alderweireld, at 32, is entering the last leg of his career while the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Eric Dier have just not been consistent enough for manager Jose Mourinho to put his faith in them.
Joe Rodon, despite showing glimpses of promise, has not been a regular this term. So, someone like Andersen, who has proven himself at this level in a very short amount of time would be an option for Mourinho and Tottenham to consider signing.
The report adds that Andersen’s parent club, Lyon, would be open to a sale for a transfer fee of around £25 million. With Fulham not having the option to make the transfer permanent, it now remains to be seen if either of Manchester United or Tottenham make a move for the 24-year-old.