Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United dealt transfer blow as RB Leipzig set high price tag for midfielder Christopher Nkuku
According to BILD via Sport Witness (h/t Express), Manchester United have been handed a summer transfer blow after RB Leipzig set an eye-watering price for their midfielder Christopher Nkunku.
United have been keen to add more quality to their midfield options for years now, with their squad thin in that specific area. Their current options have not been performing to their potential of late, making their midfield a weak link in the side.
The Manchester club had identified Nkunku as an option to reinforce their midfield, but it now looks like they have a battle on their hands to prise away the RB Leipzig star from Germany and bring him to England in the summer.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is quite familiar with Nkunku, with the Frenchman being one of Rangnick’s final signings during the German’s time with the Bundesliga club. The head coach would know what the player is capable of, and United will hope that their interim boss manages to use his contacts- if any of those still exist- to land the midfielder ahead of the new season.
Eye-watering price
United did not have any new incomings last month in the winter transfer window, so the pressure will be on in the summer to land a few new faces to add reinforcements to the side as they look to fight for trophies next term.
However, their pursuit of Nkunku may face a hiccup after Leipzig quoted £62.5m for the 24-year-old, as they consider the player to be ‘unsellable’. The Bundesliga club clearly has no intention of parting with their midfielder after setting such a steep price tag.
Midfield reinforcements are a must for United, given the contract situations of their players. Paul Pogba is out of contract in the summer and Donny van de Beek has been sent out on loan as the Dutchman seeks more game time outside after limited appearances at the club.
Only time will tell if both players remain at Old Trafford for the new season. If we lose players in the summer, then we only have Bruno Fernandes to rely on to spark creativity in midfield. This is where someone like Nkunku becomes even more important to sign.
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The French star is perhaps one of the most versatile players in the top European leagues, given his ability to play in just about any position in midfield and attack. Primarily playing as an attacking midfielder, Nkunku has enjoyed success playing down the right flank as well.
Rangnick has seen the player develop as a potential star for the future from his time at Leipzig but it remains to be seen what the Red Devils make of the aforementioned price tag. We had quite a busy summer window last year and fans would absolutely not mind a repeat of that this year- with Nkunku perhaps one of the potential signings coming into Old Trafford once this season halts.
