To allay its left-back worries, Manchester United is reportedly showing a “serious” interest in signing Bournemouth defender Mihail Kerkez during the summer transfer window.
Due to multiple muscular issues, Luke Shaw was only able to make 15 appearances across all competitions last season. Tyrell Malacia was sidelined for the entirety of 2023–24 after suffering a knee injury that required two separate surgeries.
Shaw’s catastrophic leg injury from 2015 meant that he “will never be able to play 60 games in a year,” Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag said last month.
Given that Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Diogo Dalot all played left back for Man United last season, the team is reportedly worried about the left-back position going into the next campaign.
The 20-time English champions are hoping to add a center-back, a central midfielder, and a center-forward to their roster in the summer transfer window. A new left-back may also be added.
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Man United is “eager” to sign Kerkez.
Earlier in the summer, Kerkez was connected to Manchester United. The 20-year-old made an impression for Bournemouth after joining from AZ Alkmaar.
Before moving to Arizona, the defender began his professional career with Gyor. Before joining Bournemouth, he made 57 appearances for the Dutch national team.
While Kerkez was playing for Hungary at Euro 2024, he started each of their three Group A matches against Switzerland, Germany, and Scotland. As a result, he may now be eligible for a high-profile transfer this summer.
Man United’s interest in the Hungarian is “real,” according to transfer expert Fabricio Romano, even though the Premier League’s top teams are considering other options.
Kerkez had a strong season for Bournemouth last year.
Romano told GIVEMESPORT, “I think Kerkez might be one of the choices, but not the only one, from what I have heard. Manchester United’s desire is serious.”
“They are evaluating further possibilities as well. I believe they are holding off on making a decision until they see what happens to any other opportunities that may arise for that position. However, they definitely want to cover left-back this summer as well.”
During the previous season, Kerkez played in 28 Premier League games for Bournemouth, recording one assist. He also showed promise in both of his team’s matches against Manchester United.
Matthias de Ligt of Bayern Munich is on the verge of joining Man United, and this summer, Marcel Ugarte of Paris Saint-Germain and Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna are other possible additions to Old Trafford.
Any other arrivals will probably depend on departures, and Wan-Bissaka’s departure—who is being linked to both Barcelona and Everton—may provide room for Kerkez.
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