Manchester United have received a lift of their ongoing seek for a right-back, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly able to sell Julian Ryerson at the tip of the season.
After signing Senne Lammens and spending £200million to strengthen their misfiring frontline last summer, United’s hierarchy have begun work behind the scenes to further strengthen the squad.
Amid uncertainty surrounding the manager’s position, the Red Devils have identified central midfield as their top priority ahead of the transfer window, with the likes of Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali all linked.
Reports this week suggest Casemiro has personally endorsed a move for Tonali’s Newcastle team-mate Bruno Guimaraes as his ideal substitute when he makes his way out of Old Trafford.
But United are also believed to scouring the transfer marketplace for an attack-minded wing-back to compete with Diogo Dalot on the correct, with Noussair Mazraoui still yet to supply a goal or assist within the Premier League this season.
In line with German publication Bild, United are ‘seriously interested’ in Ryerson, who’s having fun with one other excellent campaign with Dortmund.
Ryerson’s tally of 11 assists in 21 games has been instrumental in second-placed Dortmund opening up an imperious six-point lead over nearest rivals Hoffenheim within the Bundesliga table. Only Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have provided more assists within the German top flight this term.
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Nonetheless, Dortmund’s failure to achieve the Champions League last 16 is ready to have ‘significant consequences’, leading to revenue losses of as much as €27million (£23.5m), and Ryerson could possibly be sold to ‘close the financial gap’.
It’s claimed ‘a choice has been made’ and BVB would entertain the thought of selling Ryerson should they receive a proposal within the region of €30m (£26m) from a possible suitor.
Given Ryerson’s consistent performances over his four-year stay on the Westfalenstadion, the 28-year-old is now a ‘highly sought-after’ player on the transfer market, with Newcastle, and Barcelona also admirers.
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The report adds that ‘as many as 11 first-team players’ could leave Dortmund at the tip of the season, including the likes of Nico Schlotterbeck, Serhou Guirassy, Julian Brandt and Felix Nmecha.
Ryerson’s current contract with Dortmund runs through to June 2028.
The in-form full-back, who can also be comfortable playing at centre-half, has a golden opportunity to place himself front and centre within the shop window when representing Norway at this 12 months’s World Cup.
Addressing his impressive assists contribution ahead of BVB’s Champions League play-off with Atalanta, Ryerson explained: ‘I feel it’s been an improvement from my side to be honest.’
‘During the last couple of seasons, I felt slightly 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 at all times improve myself and that is one area that I’m still attempting to improve.’
Should Man Utd bid £26m for Ryerson this summer?
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