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Manchester United are considering both Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez to bolster their left back ranks this summer.
The Red Devils have already added Joshua Zirkzee , are in deep discussions for Matthijs de Ligt and are trying to convince Leny Yoro to join the club after having a bid accepted by LOSC Lille.
Left back was an incredibly difficult spot to fill for United last season as since Luke Shaw’s injury on the 18th of February against Luton Town, the club played out the remaining three months of the season with no recognised player in that position.
There has been some good news on this front as Shaw fought his way back to start the final of Euro 2024 and was one of the few English players to play to their potential in the match they would end up losing 2-1 to eventual winners, Spain.
It was also relayed here yesterday that long-term injury layoff, Tyrell Malacia, is back training doing on-pitch work as part of an individual programme to recover from a serious knee injury.
It would seem somewhat of a gamble however to rely on only these two options after the health problems they have suffered so transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has stated that United will definitely try and bring in a left back this summer for cover.
The Italian journalist provided an update on GIVEMESPORT on United’s search and claimed at this time both Kerkez and Gutierrez are potential options for the Red Devils although activity on either is not particularly advanced.
He stated, “he [Miguel Gutierrez] could be one of the options, he’s one of the players they’ve been monitoring. At the moment, I’m not aware of direct negotiations with Girona to be honest, but he could be one of the names.”
There have been reports that United are keen on the defender with Erik ten Hag pushing for a deal and suggestions that talks have already taken place over the purchase of the marauding left back.
Nonetheless, the club would face stiff competition from transfer rivals for the player such as Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and his old side, Real Madrid.
Romano went on though to state that there has been more concrete interest in Kerkez, or at least according to his sources.
“So we know that Manchester United want to add one more left-back. We already mentioned Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth as an option – it’s not an easy one because Bournemouth want to keep the player for one more season and maybe sell him next summer for a higher value.”
“So it’s not an easy one, but Kerkez is there.”
Buying from Premier League clubs is always exceptionally tough as has been proven with how the Jarrad Branthwaite deal has played out. Everton have seemingly priced the player out of a move by demanding north of £70 million.
United may be aided by the fact that Kerkez had a falling out with Bournemouth’s boss, Andoni Iraola, and a transfer fee of around £40 million has reportedly already been set.
In addition, Kerkez is said to be “open” to leaving the Vitality Stadium and moving north to Old Trafford.
United have also been heavily linked with a move for Fenerbahce’s Ferdi Kadioglu in recent days, with reports even claiming they have submitted a €25 million bid, but Romano did not mention this in his update.
The club will most likely not make any moves for a left back until the current deals they are working on come to some sort of conclusion or a midfielder has been brought in but it certainly seems like something the club wishes to address before the summer window slams shut in late August.
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