An injury to Luke Shaw has caused Manchester United to enter the transfer market in search of a left-back. Their pursuit of a defensive addition is ongoing but the Red Devils are now being linked to a new name. Transfer specialist German Grova has reported that Nicolas Tagliafico of Lyon is on Erik ten Hag’s list.
EXCLUSIVA DE @365ScoresApp
Manchester United avanza por Nicolás Tagliafico. El gigante de la Premier League ofrece un préstamo y las próximas horas serán claves
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Más detalles del bombazo del día acá https://t.co/aYVtQWa01v pic.twitter.com/AD7OnMAitv— Germán García Grova (@GerGarciaGrova) August 29, 2023
Grova stated in his post that “Manchester United advances for Nicolas Tagliafico.” The next couple of hours will be critical for getting the deal done. He also reported that the Red Devils were not insisting on a permanent sale, but instead preferred a loan that would see the Argentine come to Old Trafford for this season.
Watch: Who Manchester United Could Sign on Deadline Day with Multiple Deals Now in the Works
Ten Hag’s side, who are also seeking a midfielder in this window, are weighing all their financial options. A potential fee as high as £72 million was spent to bring Danish attacker Ramus Hojlund in, and now United’s coffers are running low. Spending too much for Tagliafico might not be doable.
What may further complicate matters is the player’s wages. The Argentine reportedly earns £75k per week with the Ligue 1 side. Presumably, the English team would have to cover some, if not all, of the cost as part of the loan deal.
The Manchester club, as reported by Grova and now The Daily Mail, do not want a permanent purchase, and would much rather bring the 30-year-old to the Premier League on a loan spell. They have a list of left-backs they could fill the Shaw gap with, including Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, but a Tagliafico loan could prove to be much easier.
Despite that, Sergio Reguilon has been linked to an Old Trafford move, but Ten Hag has a “restricted budget” to work with. The Red Devils want a move for Tagliafico, who left Ajax for Lyon last year, “wrapped up before Friday.” according to The Daily Mail article. Financial Fair play restricts the English outfit from spending too much on their other arrivals.
After three games in the Premier League, they have two wins and one loss. Close contests with Wolves and Nottingham Forest each brought three points, but their shaky defence showed that they need a player like Tagliafico to lock down their back line.
A loss to Tottenham leaves the Manchester club on six points for the campaign. The season is still young, but with tougher games ahead the need to sign stars is evident every week at Old Trafford. Whether it be a loan deal or a permanent move, the left-back signing could prove crucial for Ten Hag and his chances of success.
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