According to the latest reports, Manchester United are interested in RB Leipzig defensive midfielder Konrad Laimer. United have been unable to lock down the defensive midfield position in their squad, arguably since Michael Carrick slowed down and retired. However, the club are now eyeing “The next Ngolo Kante” in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Konrad Laimer is a regular feature in the current RB Leipzig side who seem to be getting better and better, much to the player’s credit. The 24-year-old Austrian has also earned himself 20 caps for his national team, owing to his incredible work rate and ball-winning capabilities.
His abilities have led to parallels being drawn between him and N’golo Kante by former Arsenal and Chelsea player Emmanuel Petit. So impressed by his qualities and enthusiasm in the midfield, Petit paraphrased the popular Kante saying:
“Seventy per cent of the Earth’s surface is water, the other 30 per cent is covered by Konrad Laimer.”
Laimer’s contract with Leipzig ends next season (June 2023), which means he can be bought at a cut-price fee this summer. Having featured 156 times for the German side (stats via Transfermarkt), the midfielder has been a central figure behind their rapid success in the Bundesliga in recent years.
Now, according to Sports Illustrated, Manchester United are targeting a move for Konrad Laimer in the upcoming summer transfer window. United’s interim manager Ralf Rangnick is a big admirer of the Austrian international, having known him during his days as a director at the German club and will look to push for a deal.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that several top clubs are monitoring the 24-year-old and are keen on securing the midfielder’s services. Premier League clubs Tottenham and Manchester United are among the interested parties to sign Konrad Laimer.
🚨 Paul Pogba’s set to leave Man United as free agent. Ralf Rangnick confirms: “As things stand, Pogba will NOT renew his contract with Manchester United”. 🔴 #MUFC
“It's most likely that he won't be here anymore next season”, Rangnick added. @utdreport pic.twitter.com/M8Y9yjSfQN
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 22, 2022
United would most likely be without their no. 6 Paul Pogba, come the end of the season, and the club are already looking for players to fill in the gaps left by the Frenchmen, along with Nemanja Matic and academy graduate Jesse Lingard. Combining a reasonable price with a quality midfielder available in the market, several clubs would be lurking to avail the services of the defensive midfielder, especially Man United.
Currently featuring Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Juan Mata, Fred, and soon-to-be-leaving Pogba, Matic, and Lingard, along with some academy graduates, the Red Devils need a midfield overhaul. Erik ten Hag will be given immense backing during the transfer window, and a signing like Laimer would be smart as well as cost-effective.
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United need a fresh crop of young, energetic legs in the midfield who can contribute with consistent ball progression to the forwards and also make sure that the defence remains protected as much as possible. The latter has been a major issue since time immemorial.
Considering what ETH did with his players at Ajax, it is clear that young players tend to develop fairly well under him and apparent “deadwood” such as, but not limited to, Daley Blind and Dusan Tadic tend to thrive in his system. Konrad Laimer can provide Manchester United with the much-needed quality depth they have been searching for.
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