Manchester United line up move for Bundesliga ace
Published:
Manchester United have reportedly found the man to shore up their defence next season with Bayer Leverkusen’s Omer Toprak the subject of interest from Old Trafford.
According to German publication Kicker, the Red Devils have run the rule over the 26-year-old Turkey international on several occasions and are set to make their move this summer.
Toprak has made over 150 appearances for the Bundesliga side and has seen his reputation soar since making his debut back in 2011.
Leverkusen are understandably reluctant to let their man go but the lure of the Premier League and the vast sum of money Louis van Gaal – or his replacement – has been promised means United are likely to offer a fee too high for the German club to turn down.
United have faced a number of injuries this year with Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian all being sidelined at one point or another.
Van Gaal is looking forward to welcoming back a number of the names on that list but nonetheless will seek to reinforce his back line when the transfer window re-opens, starting with a move for Toprak.
United will hope to put their latest Premier League setback – a 1-0 loss to West Brom – to one side this Thursday when they face bitter rivals Liverpool in the Europa League.
The Red Devils travel to Merseyside as the 3/1 outsiders, while the Reds, who relied on a controversial injury-time penalty to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 at the weekend, go into the game as the even-money favourites.
With the second leg back at Old Trafford a draw wouldn’t be a terrible result for Van Gaal’s men and at 11/5 it could pay to back the visitors to frustrate.
All odds and markets correct as of the date of publishing.
