{"id":1150350,"date":"2020-07-07T18:15:34","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T17:15:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1150350"},"modified":"2020-07-07T17:53:48","modified_gmt":"2020-07-07T16:53:48","slug":"man-utd-left-footed-centre-back-options-transfer-solskjaer","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/man-utd-left-footed-centre-back-options-transfer-solskjaer\/","title":{"rendered":"Man Utd transfer options for Solskjaer\u2019s &#8216;left-footed centre-back&#8217; hunt"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar <span id=\"urn:enhancement-84f27a94\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> has appeared to open the door on a summer move for Nathan Ake during a post-match embrace with the <span id=\"urn:enhancement-f70d3324\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/bournemouth_2\">Bournemouth<\/span> centre-back.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The <span id=\"urn:enhancement-348420ee\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Red Devils<\/span> ran out comprehensive victors against the <span id=\"urn:enhancement-655dede7\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/bournemouth_2\">Cherries<\/span> on Saturday as <span id=\"urn:enhancement-60ad452\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span>\u2019s men struck five past Aaron Ramsdale to maintain their current purple patch and keep their top-four aspirations very much alive.<\/p>\n<p>For <span id=\"urn:enhancement-b0512fad\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/eddie_howe\">Eddie Howe<\/span> it was a familiar tale. Junior Stanislas\u2019 well-executed opener proved a false dawn as a Mason Greenwood-inspired comeback ensured the visitors returned to the South Coast with zilch on the board and still in the thick of relegation trouble.<\/p>\n<p>Fans and pundits alike were leading the eulogies for teenage phenom Greenwood, Bruno Fernandes and the improved form of <span id=\"urn:enhancement-e4fe7a01\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/paul_pogba\">Paul Pogba<\/span>, but much of that praise was put on hold as discussions quickly turned to what exactly <span id=\"urn:enhancement-6305a454\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> told Ake in the immediate aftermath of the match at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n<p>As the players, staff and officials went through the usual post-match formalities, <span id=\"urn:enhancement-53ea65f0\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> was caught in a brief exchange with Ake on BT Sport&#8217;s cameras. The sequence was accompanied with subtitles that read: &#8220;You need a bit of luck from your centre-backs.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However, sharp-eared fans weren\u2019t quite convinced with the original caption, believing <span id=\"urn:enhancement-b1d83539\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> was actually telling Ake about his plans to sign a &#8216;left-footed centre-back&#8217;. You decide for yourselves&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A chance to get on the touchline at Old Trafford with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/ListenIn?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ListenIn<\/a> ?<\/p>\n<p>It&#39;s clear to see this Man Utd team are loving every minute on that field right now ? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/7VF1HR3Bty\">pic.twitter.com\/7VF1HR3Bty<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/footballontnt\/status\/1279707407292211200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 5, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Despite <span id=\"urn:enhancement-ac64f846\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Man Utd<\/span>\u2019s improved form, attributable to their new-look frontline, there remains question marks at the back. As it stands Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are <span id=\"urn:enhancement-a63123de\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span>\u2019s go-to centre-back pairing, while Eric Bailly remains on the fringes having struggled with injuries.<\/p>\n<p>But, all three players are right-footed. Marcos Rojo, a left-footed centre-back by trade, will likely leave <span id=\"urn:enhancement-90f7fc62\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Man Utd<\/span> in the forthcoming transfer window, leaving a gap at the back for a new defender to come in, and that could be in the guise of Ake, regardless of <span id=\"urn:enhancement-402e13a\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/bournemouth_2\">Bournemouth<\/span>\u2019s fate.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"urn:enhancement-2be1f7e0\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> is an advocate of progressive and fluid football, meaning he could look to the blueprint upheld by Pep <span id=\"urn:enhancement-c5b9567b\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/pep_guardiola\">Guardiola<\/span> at <span id=\"urn:enhancement-589df4e3\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_city\">Manchester City<\/span>, by identifying and cherry-picking a left-footed centre-back to partner his right-footed counterpart, as we witnessed with the recruitment of Aymeric Laporte.<\/p>\n<p>In that sense the acquisition of Ake would make perfect sense. The Dutchman has posted relatively average metrics this season, but given the current state of <span id=\"urn:enhancement-f7c16b47\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/bournemouth_2\">Bournemouth<\/span> and the inconsistencies in their side, owing largely to injury troubles (which Ake has also fallen victim to himself), that is understandable.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It would, in fact, be more appropriate to turn to his 2018\/19 stats for a more conclusive idea of what exactly Ake brings to the table. For non-\u2018Big Six\u2019 centre-backs Ake ranked first for touches made (2243) and second only to Maguire (then at <span id=\"urn:enhancement-1ac49efa\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/leicester_city\">Leicester<\/span>) for successful passes (1459).<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Betting odds offer<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mmwebhandler.aff-online.com\/c\/39957?sr=1751842\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1150403 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07165545\/1150350_1150350_vill-man-utd-888-1024x401.png\" alt=\"Aston Villa vs Man Utd: Betting odds and offer | 888 Sport\" width=\"1024\" height=\"401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07165545\/1150350_1150350_vill-man-utd-888-1024x401.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07165545\/1150350_1150350_vill-man-utd-888-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07165545\/1150350_1150350_vill-man-utd-888-768x301.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07165545\/1150350_1150350_vill-man-utd-888-66x26.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07165545\/1150350_1150350_vill-man-utd-888.png 1116w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/mmwebhandler.aff-online.com\/c\/39957?sr=1751842\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Click here<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>to access 888 Sport\u2019s <span id=\"urn:enhancement-37314159\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/aston_villa\">Aston Villa<\/span> vs Man United new customer offer. 18+ only. Max Bet \u20ac5. \u20ac10 deposit using promo code 888ODDS. Free bets are granted within 72 hours and expires after 7 days. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Deposit balance is available for withdrawal at any time. Withdrawal restrictions &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.888sport.com\/terms\/template21.htm?bonus1=Brighton&amp;bonus2=Liverpool&amp;bonus3=Either&amp;prize1=7\/7\/2020%2012:44%20AM&amp;prize2=7\/8\/2020%208:15%20PM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">full T&amp;C\u2019s apply<\/a>.<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gambleaware.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">GambleAware<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><span id=\"urn:enhancement-36447f43\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> has been praised for moving away from the scattergun approach that has hampered <span id=\"urn:enhancement-4d9ad65e\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Man Utd<\/span> in the post-Ferguson era, instead making acute signings that match his playing style and alleviate weaknesses in his squad. Ake could be the next in line.<\/p>\n<p>But, there will be no shortage of suitors when the window opens. <span id=\"urn:enhancement-6702c6ef\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/pep_guardiola\">Guardiola<\/span> is thought to be an admirer and City will be in the market for defensive reinforcements, while <span id=\"urn:enhancement-82dd5195\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/chelsea_f-c\">Chelsea<\/span> are thought to still have a gentleman\u2019s agreement in place whereby they can re-sign Ake for \u00a340m.<\/p>\n<p>So, if not Ake then where could <span id=\"urn:enhancement-4884666f\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> turn to for his \u2018left-footed centre-back\u2019? With a clear transfer strategy in place, we\u2019ve weighed up a few alternatives for <span id=\"urn:enhancement-380fc9b0\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/manchester_united\">Man Utd<\/span>&#8230;<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Pau Torres<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Villarreal have been in superb form this season, scoring the third-most goals in <span id=\"urn:enhancement-f18ef3b9\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/la_liga\">La Liga<\/span> (54) and currently sitting in fifth place, just six points outside the Champions League qualification places. Gerard Moreno\u2019s 16-goal haul has naturally kept his presence prominent on the back pages, while a 35-year-old Santi Cazorla continues to mesmerise, but it has arguably been the ball-playing exploits of Torres at the back that have impressed the most.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150376 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152218\/1150350_1150350_pau-torres-stats-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Only Gerard Pique (2440), Sergio Ramos (<span>1979)<\/span> and Clement Lenglet (<span>1875)<\/span> have registered more passes for centre-backs than Torres (1767) this season, which is understandable given that two of those play for <span id=\"urn:enhancement-de18024b\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/fc_barcelona\">Barcelona<\/span> and the other for Real Madrid, while the Villarreal man has created more chances than any centre-back this term (11).<\/p>\n<p>Those are the kind of stats that will have modern tacticians weak at the knees. Given Torres\u2019 age (23), height (6ft, 3in) and playing style, it is no wonder he is one of the most coveted centre-backs on the market. It is believed Torres has a release clause of around \u00a345m, and Man Utd,\u00a0along with Barca and <span id=\"urn:enhancement-3d63f4b4\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/chelsea_f-c\">Chelsea<\/span>, have already been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dailymail.co.uk\/sport\/football\/article-8488323\/Chelsea-enter-race-Villarreals-Pau-Torres-Manchester-United-Barcelona-linked.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">linked<\/a> to his signature.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Alessandro Bastoni<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>When Antonio Conte convinced defensive stalwart Diego Godin to relocate to the San Siro last summer, it looked like the Italian found the final piece to his new-look set-up, with the Uruguayan making up one third of Inter&#8217;s formidable centre-back triumvirate, alongside\u00a0<span>Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150378 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152608\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>However, fast forward a year and Godin has lost his place in the pecking order to 21-year-old Bastoni. The towering, yet elegant centre-back has enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Nerazzurri and is now a mainstay in Conte&#8217;s starting XI, combining brains and brawn to marshal the backline.<\/p>\n<p>Such has been his rapid rise that <span id=\"urn:enhancement-c1efedc3\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/fc_barcelona\">Barca<\/span> have reportedly been monitoring his situation, but Conte will be desperate to retain the ex-Atalanta player&#8217;s services. Bastoni fits the profile for <span id=\"urn:enhancement-54353e5\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span>: young, left-footed, adept in possession. But, this is a transfer that would require a serious purse and some deep pockets.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Alessio Romagnoli<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Staying in Lombardy, but in the red half of Milan, and there is another left-footed centre-back of ball-playing excellence and defensive resilience: Romagnoli. The 25-year-old club captain has been a near ever-present for the Rossoneri since transferring from Roma in 2015 and has once again excelled this season.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150379 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07152843\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-1-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Milan are fighting tooth and nail to secure a European place and that outcome will largely rest on the shoulders of Romagnoli. The Italian has registered more passes than any centre-back in Serie A this season (<span>1791) and has played every single minute of the campaign (the only outfield player to do so).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Once again <span id=\"urn:enhancement-8376d584\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/fc_barcelona\">Barca<\/span> are thought to be keeping tabs on Romagnoli, while Spanish transfer outlets have linked the Italian with Atletico Madrid.\u00a0Given Italian football&#8217;s lineage of world class centre-backs, <span id=\"urn:enhancement-4a28d26e\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> won&#8217;t find many better in the art of &#8216;catenaccio&#8217; (a strong emphasis on defence).<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>David Alaba\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>The versatile Austrian has been the figurehead of <span id=\"urn:enhancement-7fbeb0ad\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-organization\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/bayern_munich\">Bayern Munich<\/span>&#8216;s revitalisation this season and the poster boy of Hansi Flick&#8217;s high-octane system. Moving across to centre-back, which has allowed\u00a0<span>Alphonso Davies to flourish at left-back, Alaba has been revolutionary in a more central role.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150380 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153207\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-2-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Operating as the springboard for attacking moves, Alaba&#8217;s elite ball-playing credentials and defensive intelligence allow him to safeguard the backline while also adhering to the Bavarian club&#8217;s possession-based mantra, and that is exactly what <span><span id=\"urn:enhancement-bc034075\" class=\"textannotation disambiguated wl-person\" itemid=\"http:\/\/data.wordlift.io\/wl01348\/entity\/ole_gunnar_solskjaer\">Solskjaer<\/span> will be looking for in the coming months.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>With Alaba&#8217;s contract set to expire next summer, the Austrian could be available when the window reopens. C<span>hief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already revealed: &#8220;We don&#8217;t want to lose a player on a free transfer next year &#8211; I will be very clear about that.&#8221; It would seem the door has been left ajar, if Alaba can be tempted away. However, the prospect of staying at Bayern will surely remain a strong pull given he moved to Bavaria a decade ago.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Gabriel Magalhaes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150384 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153905\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-5-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Lille has been a hotbed for emerging talent over the years and the latest to step off the conveyor belt is Gabriel. The 6ft 3in Sao Paulo native joined the club in 2017 for \u00a31.5m and has really enhanced his reputation this season, drawing covetous eyes from Italy to England, particularly the latter after impressing in the Champions League group stages against Chelsea back in autumn.<\/p>\n<p>The 22-year-old is still young and has plenty of room for growth, but he has looked a mature and composed player this season alongside the experienced Jose Fonte, excelling both aerially and with a progressive passing range. He ranks third for most passes into the final third in Ligue 1 this season for centre-back with a total of 195. Only Pablo Martinez (196) and Hilton (201) are ahead of the young Brazilian.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Tyrone Mings<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150383 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153641\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-4-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If it\u2019s proven Premier League quality that Solskjaer is after then he could turn his gaze to another relegation-threatened side in Aston Villa, and more specifically, Mings. A former teammate of Ake at Bournemouth, Mings has been the standout defender for Villa in a season that has spiralled out of control at times and not produced much by the way of success.<\/p>\n<p>The 27-year-old defender has picked up two England caps as a reward for his fine form this term and could come at a cut-price deal depending on the fate of Villa in the coming weeks. Of course, Mings remains a polarising figure at Old Trafford after a certain incident involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but all could be forgiven if he comes in and brings a new dimension to the backline.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_1150254\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/premier-league-top-four-race-easiest-hardest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1150254\" class=\"wp-image-1150254 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Premier League top-four finish: Ranking run-ins and betting odds | SBK\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-66x37.jpg 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-620x350.jpg 620w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED-940x530.jpg 940w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/06175943\/1150230_1150230_RANKING-TOP-FOUR-RUN-INS-SBK-FEATURED.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-1150254\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">READ MORE: \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/premier-league-top-four-race-easiest-hardest\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ranking Premier League top-four race run-ins from easiest to hardest<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>Dan-Axel Zagadou<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1150382 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3.png\" alt=\"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3.png 1080w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-66x65.png 66w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/en\/2020\/07\/07153420\/1150350_1150350_player_full-pitch-viz-stats-template-visualisation-3-100x100.png 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>PSG really need to try and keep hold of their academy gems. The Parisians have recently seen 18-year-old defensive wonderkid Tanguy Kouassi join Bayern Munich and they will be hoping he doesn\u2019t follow in the footsteps of Zagadou, who is just beginning to realise his potential for Borussia Dortmund.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The 21-year-old defender recently suffered ligament damage in his knee, which ruled him out of the Bundesliga\u2019s return to action, but he should be raring to go once the 2020\/21 season gets up and running. Despite his height (6ft 5in), Zagadou has the versatility to play at left-back, as shown when he deputised for Marcel Schmelzer during his maiden campaign in the Ruhr district, while he now plays an invaluable role in Lucien Favre\u2019s three-at-the-back system.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>READ MORE ON THE PREMIER LEAGUE:<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/premier-league-top-scorers-2019-20\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Premier League 2019\/20 top scorers list<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/premier-league-most-assists-2019-2020-season\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Premier League 2019\/20 assist leaders<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/most-saves-premier-league-golden-glove-2019-2020\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Premier League 2019\/20 Golden Glove standings<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/premier-league-predictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Predictions and tips<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has appeared to open the door on a summer move for Nathan Ake during a post-match embrace with the Bournemouth centre-back. The Red Devils ran out comprehensive victors against the Cherries on Saturday as Solskjaer\u2019s men struck five past Aaron Ramsdale to maintain their current purple patch and keep&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":32,"featured_media":1150386,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Man Utd boss Solskjaer may have inadvertently revealed his transfer plans for a 'left-footed centre-back' \u2013 and we've assessed his options.","footnotes":""},"tags":[285],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1150350","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-notnewsnow"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Man Utd transfer news: Left footed centre-back options for Solskjaer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Man Utd boss Solskjaer may have inadvertently revealed his transfer plans for a &#039;left-footed centre-back&#039; 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