Man Utd ‘seriously interested’ in Barcelona goal as transfer bidding war ‘heats up’ | Football

Manchester United are plotting a move to sign Borussia Dortmund star Julian Ryerson ahead of the summer transfer window, in response to reports in Germany.

Ryerson is having fun with an impressive season at Dortmund this term, with only Michael Olise (16) providing more assists than the 28-year-old (11) within the Bundesliga after 22 matches.

The Norway international joined BVB from Union Berlin back in January 2023 and has made 130 appearances in all competitions for the club in that point, proving a useful addition along with his level of consistency and flexibility.

Nevertheless, there may be mounting speculation that this season could possibly be Ryerson’s last at Westfalenstadion, with top teams from across Europe starting to form a queue for the right-back.

Based on German publication Bild, Ryerson is ‘becoming an increasing number of wanted’ with every passing game and is now considered one in all the ‘hottest names within the European transfer market’.

Barcelona have been keeping close tabs on Ryerson for a while and look at the Norwegian as a possible alternative to Jules Kounde at right-back.

However the Spanish champions are removed from alone in expressing an interest in Ryerson, with two Premier League giants joining the race for the wing-back, who can also be comfortable playing at centre-half.

Manchester United and Newcastle are each understood to be scouring the marketplace for possible reinforcements at full-back and have grown ‘seriously interested’ in Ryerson.

It’s claimed the English duo may even have a bonus over other potential suitors given the ‘Premier League has an especially high standing’ amongst Scandinavian players.

United are said to be on the hunt for a more attack-minded right-back to compete with Diogo Dalot next season, with Noussair Mazraoui still yet to administer a single goal or assist within the league this term.

The report adds that Ryerson’s profile as an offensively strong and versatile option makes him an especially ‘attractive’ proposition to the likes of United and Newcastle.

Ryerson’s market value is regarded as within the region of €20million (£17.5m), which could be an especially manageable transfer fee for the likes of United and Newcastle.

After tying Ryerson down with a brand new contract in October 2024, Dortmund are in no rush to money in on the defender. Nevertheless, with the bidding war ‘heating up’, there may be also an acceptance that the player represents a possible source of funds for the Bundesliga club.

Ryerson’s current take care of BVB runs through to June 2028.

Tonight, Ryerson will probably be hoping to proceed his magnificent run of form within the Champions League, with Dortmund in motion in the primary leg of their play-off with Atalanta.

Facing the media on the eve of the clash, the ex-Union Berlin star spoke about his ‘good numbers’ this season – but underlined how there was all the time room for improvement in his game.

‘I feel it’s been an improvement from my side to be honest,’ Ryerson told reporters while sat alongside Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac.

‘Over the past couple of seasons, I felt a little bit bit unlucky with the quantity of assists and possibilities, but this season it’s been good numbers.

‘It’s something I attempt to improve in my game. I can all the time improve myself and that is one area that I’m still attempting to improve.’

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