Manchester United YouTuber Mark Goldbridge has given his reaction to the latest transfer rumours that have been surrounding the Red Devils and their pursuit for a new centre-back.
United have reportedly been interested in Raphaël Varane ever since it became apparent that he might be looking to leave Real Madrid this summer. However, with the Frenchman apparently not keen on a move to Manchester to join up with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, Manchester United have been linked with more defensive options, with the names of Pau Torres and Jules Kounde pleasing Goldbridge.
Speaking on the United Stand YouTube channel, Goldbridge had this to say on the rumoured Manchester United targets:
“We spoke about Torres last night, The Athletic are saying that underneath Varane is Kounde and Torres as Manchester United’s centre-back options. For me, this again is massive positivity – if we’re not going to get Varane, we can’t get [Dayot] Upamecano, we can’t get [David] Alaba, we can’t get [Ibrahima] Konate.
“So, you do delve down, and I actually think Torres and Kounde – that’s not terrible. That’s not terrible that those two would be the backup options if we can’t get Varane. So that’s quite comforting.”
TIF Thoughts on Manchester United’s centre-back options…
If United are unable to land four-time Champions League winner Varane, then it looks like they could have a very good list of replacements.
Torres is a player United fans may be familiar with after he was part of the Villarreal side that defeated United in the Europa League final at the end of last month.
It has been reported that the Spanish centre-back has a release clause of €65m (£55.7m), which United could choose to activate if they are unable to get their supposed first choice.
The alternative that has been mentioned is Kounde of Sevilla, valued at £54million by Transfermarkt, and with himself and Torres having six and four years on Varane respectively, splashing the cash on a younger prospect may be more worthwhile.