Transfer News: Dan-Axel Zagadou on Manchester United radar

Manchester United are reportedly targeting a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, whose contract expires next summer.

According to Transfer Market Web, Manchester United are among the clubs interested in the services of Dan-Axel Zagadou. The defender currently plies his trade at Borussia Dortmund, but his contract expires at the end of the season. It has put the Premier League giants on red alert, although they are set to face stiff competition from Bayern Munich.

The report does also add that Borussia Dortmund are intent on extending Zagadou’s contract, with the player himself ready to commit his long-term future at the club. The 22-year-old is already one of the cult heroes in the Ruhrpott, known for his aggression and an imposing frame that makes him an intimidating figure for the opposition.

Formerly of the PSG youth academy, Zagadou joined Dortmund back in 2017. His spell in the Bundesliga has been unfortunately marred by injuries, though, with the defender failing to muster at least 20 league appearances in any of his seasons in Germany so far.

He is currently nursing from a serious knee injury that has already kept him out for almost seven months. The Frenchman has recently resumed training, though, and could soon make his return to the pitch, serving Marco Rose with a massive boost ahead of the crucial UEFA Champions League tie against Sporting CP next week.

Manchester United’s interest in Zagadou is slightly surprising as they already boast the services of Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire, as well as Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly. However, it is fair to mention that Bailly does face an uncertain future at the club whereas the on-loan Axel Tuanzebe could make his Aston Villa move permanent.

Manchester United head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has raised concerns over the club’s lack of depth multiple times in the past. In fact, he played a crucial part in blocking Diogo Dalot’s move to Borussia Dortmund late in the summer transfer window.

However, investing in Zagadou in order to fill the void in the defensive unit might not be the most prudent choice. The 22-year-old defender, as iterated earlier, has a poor injury record and is yet to even play regular football since March. It raises concerns over his fitness and whether or not he can maintain a high level of performance.

But on a more logical level, Dortmund are soon expected to finalise a new contract for the Frenchman, who is currently the favoured long-term successor for the ageing Mats Hummels. As for the interest from Manchester United, it remains to be seen if they can prise him away from the Bundesliga giants anytime soon.