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Posting a negative goal difference in the Premier League, along with more defenders set to leave, means Manchester United must prioritize reinforcements at the back.
That’s exactly what the club are doing, as evidenced by their plans to submit a new and improved bid for Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite after seeing their first offer rejected.
But with Raphael Varane already announcing his departure, while Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof could also be on the way, it may take more than one centre-back to make up for the losses.
United have plans to buy one elite star and one diamond in the rough, and RB Salzburg’s Oumar Solet certainly fits the latter description.
Soulet race
The Frenchman impressed during his four-year spell in Austria, making more than 100 appearances for the club and winning three league titles along the way.
Last season he assisted 11 goals in 28 games in all competitions, scoring two goals and registering one assist.
He was in the top 10 percent among his peers in Austria for duels won, while he was in the top four percent for dribbles (according to fotmob), which indicates how comfortable he is with the ball.
The France U20 international is ready to take the next step in his career with a number of Bundesliga clubs also in contention.
According to RMC Sport, Salzburg plan to earn between 12 and 15 million euros for the 24-year-old, whose contract expires in 2025.
“Under contract until June 2025 in Salzburg, Oumar Solet is of interest to several big clubs, such as Dortmund and Stuttgart in the Bundesliga or Manchester United in the Premier League. The 24-year-old defender wants to take a step forward to continue his progress.
In demand CB
“Oumar Solet should leave Salzburg this summer. Under contract until June 2025, the 24-year-old defender, who trained at Laval before joining Olympique Lyonnais in 2018, is looking to take a new step in his career. And there is no shortage of suitors, especially in Germany.
“Clubs like Bayer Leverkusen or Stuttgart are in the race to try and land the 1.92m player. Another German club, whose name has not been leaked, is also in the file.
“Besides the Bundesliga, Oumar Solet also has touches in the Premier League. Manchester United are following him closely, as are other English teams. An Italian club has also enquired.”
The report also mentions that the defender would prefer a club that would give him the chance to get regular minutes and without Champions League football, United can certainly afford to give him game time.
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