Manchester United are eyeing a late move to sign Brighton and Hove Albion star Ferdi Kadioglu to solve their left-back issues, according to the Daily Mail.
The Red Devils completed their midfield rebuild during the transfer window after completing moves to sign Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba from Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brighton respectively, while Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer to be Senne Lammens' backup after departing Leeds.
But the club are still keen to add a left-back to the squad to provide competition for Luke Shaw before the window closes at 11pm on Tuesday.
Newcastle star Lewis Hall has been identified as the top target for the role, but the Magpies are refusing to sell having already lost Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes in the window. That has seen the Man Utd recruitment team begin to look at alternative options.
According to the Daily Mail, one of those understood to have been considered is Baleba's former teammate Kadioglu, who joined the club in a £25m deal from Fenerbahce two years ago.
The Turkey international struggled with injuries in his first campaign at the Amex Stadium, but shone in his second, with an ability to play in both full-back positions, as a winger, or even in midfield.
Kadioglu missed the opening game of the season with a knock, but started for the Seagulls at left-back in their 4-3 defeat to Chelsea this past weekend.
The 26-year-old has been assessed as an option by the Old Trafford recruitment team, as they look for alternatives to Lewis Hall before the window closes. However, United are yet to make a final decision on whether they will push ahead with a left-back signing, or stick with what they have and then reassess in January.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are both capable of playing at left-back, and have done regularly throughout their careers, while there has also been talk that Baleba could feature there too if needed.
It's unclear what Brighton would ask for to let Kadioglu leave at this late stage, but United view Hall as a long-term option at left-back and are planning to return for him in future windows, which is likely to mean they won't go too big on any potential option in this window.
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Ferdi Kadioglu Premier League Stats 25/26 |
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|---|---|
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Appearances |
34(3) |
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Minutes |
3134 |
|
Tackles (per 90) |
1.5 |
|
Interceptions (per 90) |
0.7 |
|
Clearances (per 90) |
2.2 |
|
Blocks (per 90) |
0.2 |
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Statistics courtesy of WhoScored |
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Man Utd Must Sign Left-Back
It's clear that Man Utd need a new left-back in the door, even if it's simply a short-term solution. Luke Shaw is incapable of playing three games in a week at a high intensity, and with the team back in the Champions League, that's what he will need to do.
Hall is the long-term target, and the club are doing the right thing by not just moving on and signing someone else if they feel he is the right man. But they cannot neglect the position for another year, or it will cost them greatly throughout the campaign.
Patrick Dorgu is viewed as a winger by Carrick, and the squad is very short of options in that role. Kadioglu would be a top arrival if they can get it done, but even if it's not him, someone must arrive.