Manchester United are on the verge of completing the signing of Tyrell Malacia with the defender having been pictured at the club’s training ground.
The Red Devils have been closing in on a move for the Feyenoord defender over the past few weeks having jumped ahead of French club Lyon in the race for his services. United have agreed to pay £15.7m for Malacia, with a long-term contract on the table at Old Trafford.
He now looks set to become the club’s first addition of the summer - and the first of the Erik ten Hag era at the club with the Dutchman now in the thick of preparations ahead of the 2022/23 season.
A deal does not seem to be far away from completion either with the 22-year-old having been pictured at the Red Devils’ Carrington training base presumably to complete the formalities of a switch including the final stages of his medical.
He was chauffeur-driven into the club’s training ground, with it appearing that an official announcement of the transfer is not too far away. Once he officially becomes a Red Devil, he will compete with the likes of Luke Shaw and Alex Telles for a starting berth at Old Trafford.
The pair had been previously battling for the left-back position but there could potentially be an easier route through to the first-team with Ten Hag having decided to jettison the Brazilian this summer.
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Former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who now manages Malacia for the Netherlands, previously discussed the prospect of him moving to Manchester United.
Speaking last month, he said: "I think a player of his quality can play in the Premier League. That is not a problem. If he has to make this big step now, that's the question. It is not so wise, I think [to move to United]. He has to play."
With Malacia’s move all-but confirmed, the Red Devils are not expected to relax in the transfer market as Ten Hag continues to bolster his squad. The club have stepped up their pursuit of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez as they attempt to fight-off competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal.
In the meantime, a deal for teammate Antony could well be in the pipe-line with ten Hag having made a personal request to sign the Brazilian in the aftermath of Cristiano Ronaldo ’s shock transfer request over the weekend.
United are also continuing their pursuit of Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong having already agreed a fee with the Catalan giants. However, the Spanish side remain unconvinced on selling the Dutch playmaker, as confirmed by club president Joan Laporta.
He said: “There are clubs that want him, not just United. We have no intention of selling him, he wants to stay. Frenkie is considered as one of the best midfielders in the world by all the experts. We are happy to have him.
“I’m going to do everything I can in my power so that Frenkie stays here, but there’s also a salary issue and that would have to be adjusted.”
