Manchester United youngster Ethan Laird is set to join Bournemouth on loan, with the medical reportedly imminent.
According to Football Insider, Bournemouth are closing in on the capture of Ethan Laird. They have reached an agreement with Manchester United over a loan deal until the end of the season. The player appears to have agreed to the move and is expected to complete a medical within the next 48 hours.
The imminent nature of the deal suggests Laird’s current loan at Swansea City is set to be terminated. The youngster had initially joined the Swans in the summer on a season-long loan deal, making a solid impression with his performances during the first half of the Championship campaign.
With 20 league appearances, the 20-year-old has been an ever-present figure in the Swansea City backline. His three assists have been useful in helping Swansea City remain clear of the relegation scrap for now. However, the youngster is now ready for a bigger challenge as he joins Bournemouth for the second half of the campaign.
The Cherries are at the top of the Championship table, boasting a far stronger squad. It means Laird is set to face stiff competition from both Adam Smith and Jack Stacey for a place in the starting eleven. But it appears head coach Scott Parker is confident of his abilities as his team looks to shore up their defensive options in January, especially amid interest from West Ham for the services of Lloyd Kelly.
Manchester United are hopeful that Laird can continue his excellent form in the Championship in 2022 and return to Old Trafford in the summer, with the chance of making a breakthrough for the senior side.
The Red Devils are currently struggling in the right-back department, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka failing to produce consistency. There are also uncertainties over the long-term future of Diogo Dalot, prompting the club to look into the possibility of signing Kieran Trippier in January.
However, the Atletico Madrid star is reportedly closing in on a move to Newcastle United. Hence, it won’t be surprising to see Ralf Rangnick relying on his academy players to try and fix the situation at right-back. Ethan Laird, to that end, could prove to be a long-term solution, so it will be interesting to see how the youngster performs at Bournemouth during the second half of the campaign.