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Report: French club beat Manchester United in the race for 29-year-old defender

Olympique de Marseille set to pip Manchester United in signing Jonathan Clauss
Manchester United is interested in Jonathan Clauss (Photo by Hugo Pfeiffer/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Jonathan Clauss joins Marseille, putting an end to Manchester United pursuit 

According to Daily Mail, Jonathan Clauss has joined Marseille after their offer was approved by RC Lens, ending any hopes for Manchester United to sign him.

Marseille has acquired the services of the French wing-back despite United having recently intensified their pursuit of him. Upon completion of the transaction, the Frenchman will join former Granada attackers Luis Suarez, Isaak Toure, and Chancel Mbemba as the fourth new player on the Marseille squad.

Clauss, formerly of Arminia Bielefeld, has a solid reputation for being one of the top wing-backs in Ligue 1 while playing for Lens.

Olympique de Marseille set to pip Manchester United in signing Jonathan Clauss
Jonathan Clauss in action for Lens

The 29-year-old has contributed significantly to Lens’ recent ascent to significance with eight goals and 18 assists over the past few years. The full-back has also made four appearances for France.

The signing of Jonathan Clauss, a talented right-wing-back who can provide on the offensive end, might have been the answer to United’s problems. With Erik ten Hag purportedly looking for a new right-back to take the place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, such traits have apparently pushed Manchester United to join his quest as well.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has clearly struggled at Man United, be it under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick. It remains to be seen what Ten Hag thinks of him.

Olympique de Marseille has piped Manchester United in the signing of Jonathan Clauss.
Olympique de Marseille has pipped Manchester United in the signing of Jonathan Clauss.

Meanwhile, Clauss seems to be on his way to Marseille, so it appears Manchester United may have to turn their attention elsewhere. Clauss’s performance with the Ligue 1 powerhouses may increase his chances of getting chosen for the French World Cup squad.

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The Red Devils also have Diogo Dalot in that position but he remains unconvincing as well. With Tyrell Malacia already signed from Feyenoord, only time will tell if sign a full-back on the right-side of the defence.

Written by Surajit Das

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