From Italy: United set to battle Serie A’s biggest players for summer signing of “fantastic” Belgian defender

Manchester United are keeping an eye on defensive reinforcements given the summer revamp being planned by INEOS.

Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu was signed in January but he is versatile and can operate down the right as well. Luke Shaw’s injury record means the co-owners are looking to move him on once the transfer window opens.

Tyrell Malacia, who has struggled out on loan, will also be sold while both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are traditional full-backs and have struggled to adapt to Ruben Amorim’s methods.

As seen from the club’s interest in Alejandro Balde of Barcelona, the Red Devils could still bring in a left-sided wingback and shift Dorgu to the right.

De Cuyper on United’s radar

Tuttosport have claimed the Red Devils are looking at Maxim De Cuyper of Club Brugge who has impressed a lot of clubs with his displays this season.

The left-back has played every minute of Brugge’s run to the Champions League Round of 16, including impressive performances against Manchester City, Juventus and Atalanta.

The “fantastic” Belgian international also scored a stunning goal against Aston Villa in the same competition while he has three overall this season as well as six assists.

And the likes of Juventus and AC Milan are eyeing him in the summer while Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig are also keeping a close eye on proceedings.

Brugge have slapped a price tag of €25 million on the 24-year-old’s head and the Bianconeri will make a move should they lose Andrea Cambiaso in the summer.

“Belgium has produced a great generation of players who have perhaps achieved less than one would have expected at the national level. But it is a reservoir that continues to supply quality players. Among these, Maxim De Cuyper certainly has a prominent place.

“The Bianconeri had the opportunity to see him at work. But Giuntoli certainly didn’t need a direct clash to get to know the left back who, in the Juventus ideas, could be a solution in the event that Cambiaso were to leave in a few months.

“Starting with Milan, who has already identified De Cuyper as the potential heir to Theo Hernandez . But at the Rossoneri club at the moment there are too many variables to understand what the moves will be on the market.

United eyeing another Belgian ace

“The Belgian also has a market abroad, between the Premier League with United always lurking and the Bundesliga, with Leipzig in pole position.

“He costs between 20 and 25 million, at the moment, therefore a significant figure but not stellar for a talent who can take off even if everything is to be evaluated outside of the Jupiler League, the Belgian Serie A.”

While the price tag can be considered within United’s reach, there are doubts as to whether De Cuyper can produce the same level of excellence in the English top-flight.

Which is why options like Roger Fernandes of Braga and Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong are also being monitored by the Red Devils.

Incidentally, he is not the only Club Brugge player on United’s radar with the Old Trafford side also interested in Ardon Jashari while another young Belgian ace in Senne Lammens is also of interest.

Feature image Dan Istitene via Getty Images

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