Manchester United have reached an agreement with Feyenoord for Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia according to reports by Martijn Krabbendam of Voetball International. Over the past week or so, United were linked to the 22-year-old but it was Olimpique Lyon who had moved for the player.
The reports coming out of the Netherlands suggest that United have won the race to sign the left-back meaning Lyon will be annoyed that the move has been hijacked by United. The Old Trafford club were reportedly seeking to get Frenkie de Jong’s move done before making another.
It is good news for United manager Erik ten Hag who has now given the left-back position a good bit of strength with Luke Shaw and Malacia contesting for the position and it leaves me to believe that Alex Telles will leave the club this summer with Brandon Williams also up for sale.
The report from the Netherlands states that Feyenoord had verbally agreed the deal for Malacia with Lyon but the concrete interest of United will seal the deal. Previously transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano had stated that Malacia will play for Lyon in the future.
The deal was said to €15 million with a five-year deal being agreed. It would be a positive transfer for United with Malacia relatively early in his career making 50 appearances for his club last season, scoring one goal and five assists.
It could well be that Ten Hag has pushed for reinforcement this season with the left-back position problematic with Shaw having injury problems last season and Telles not really fulfilling the responsibility United would expect with the position. United were poor defensively.
There seems to be a Dutch revolution at United with Frenkie de Jong and Malacia likely to be signed by the club plus with the clubs interest in Ajax winger Antony. Some may suggest that Ten Hag is only targeting players from the Netherlands or with an Ajax history, but it is what he knows.
Obviously, he will not be able to full United with Dutch players and he probably does not want to do that but these are the players who he feels will rejuvenate United’s squad this summer and after last season, rejuvenation is required. As long as it works, it will all be fine.
There is yet to be any confirmation of this prospective deal but the news seems to be positive as just 24 hours ago, it looked like United were going to miss out on Malacia. United may need to outbid Lyon to sign the player but the player could also choose United over Lyon.
Written by John Walker
