Man Utd ready to gazump Tottenham as tempting fee is placed on Lyon man
Manchester United are poised to rival Tottenham for the signing of Lyon defender Joachim Andersen after a lower-than-expected asking price was placed on the Dane.
The centre-half is currently impressing during a season’s loan deal with Fulham, where he’s emerged as a key cog in Scott Parker’s side. Indeed, the Cottagers had failed to win a Premier League game until Andersen was drafted into their side in November. Now, with just seven games left of the season, he’s a big reason why they have a shout at survival.
The Cottagers, however, failed to negotiate an option to buy Andersen as part of the deal that took him to the Cottage. His form is reported to have alerted Tottenham this summer as Jose Mourinho looks for new defenders.
However, they’re not alone, with the Daily Telegraph now claiming he’s also coming under the radar of Manchester United. The paper reports that United are desperate to recruit a new centre-half to partner Harry Maguire next season.
With Phil Jones and Eric Bailly poised to move on, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has room for defensive additions.
Indeed, a report earlier on Thursday claimed United’s search had now been whittled down to four names.
Scott Parker: Fulham's aim is to win every game
Fulham manager Scott Parker says his side have to approach each of their remaining seven Premier League matches as if they are must-win, in their bid to avoid relegation.
But if the Telegraph is right, then the name of Andersen can be added to that list. Furthermore their hopes have increased amid claims that Lyon are prepared to sell Andersen for just £25m.
United are also in the market for Ibrahima Konate, Jules Kounde, Pau Torres and Raphael Varane. However, all four would cost considerably more than Andersen.
Subscribe for free to TEAMtalk’s daily newsletter…
Lyon preparing for Andersen sale
Despite having three years left on his deal come the summer, Lyon seem more than happy to sell Andersen. Indeed, their director of football Juninho recently admitted he expects the Dane to continue in the Premier League come next season.
“I think he is going to want to extend the adventure in the Premier League.
“He played well at Fulham, and if he comes back, we’ll greet him with open arms.”
Andersen has already shown his commitment to Fulham by vowing to help keep them in the Premier League.
“I love when people are saying that we are going down because it fires me up,” he recently told The Sun.
“I want to show it’s not going to be the case. There’s no need to stress. In football, you always get what you deserve.
“When we played like we did for months, at some point it had to turn.
“It’s such a big, big goal to keep this club in the Premier League and I feel that from every single player in the squad.”
READ MORE: West Ham dilemma as Man Utd slap outrageous new price on Jesse Lingard
