Is THIS the man to fix Erik ten Hag’s defence? Man United ‘are in advanced talks to sign £26m-rated Serie A star dubbed the new Nemanja Vidic’
- Erik ten Hag would like to strengthen his team during a difficult start to the season
- Radu Dragusin has drawn comparisons with ex-Man United star Nemanja Vidic
- Manchester United in a mess – they have a collapse in them – It all starts
According to a report from Romania, Manchester United are ready to take on Arsenal in a bid to land 'the next Nemanja Vidic'.
United's defense has been a serious concern this season, with Wednesday's 3-3 draw against Galatasaray providing the latest examination of Erik ten Hag's backline.
As a result, already in January there is a hunger to strengthen the defense and the Romanian team ProSport claim Man United are in advanced talks for Radu Dragusin.
The 21-year-old Genoa defender has a £26m release clause and is high on the radar of a host of English teams.
Radu Dragusin has drawn comparisons with ex-Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic
Erik ten Hag is eager to strengthen his defense in January after a difficult start to the season
Dragusin's agent, Florin Manea, has previously spoken openly about his client's move to England.
He said: “I have been in London for a while and have meetings with key teams almost every week. We're getting closer. I spoke to Newcastle, to Arsenal, to Tottenham. I also have messages with them, conversations. There are teams asking questions about Dragusin.'
But it is now claimed that it is United who are in pole position to land him.
Dragusin came through at Juventus, but has since moved on to Genoa.
Genoa had Dragusin loaned out last season before they were able to sign him on a permanent deal for just £5 million, meaning they could make a sizeable profit.
The defender is under contract until 2027, but it is crucial that a viable release clause is included in his contract in a bid to secure a move to England.
United's defense is a major concern at the moment and Rio Ferdinand believes 'immaturity' and 'boredom' played a key role in United's defensive collapse during the 3-3 draw against Galatasaray.
Dragusin (right) has a £26 million release clause in his Genoa contract, which runs until 2027
Ten Hag's men were twice in the lead with two goals in the Champions League match in Istanbul, but could not hold on and their chances of reaching the knockout stages now hang by a thread.
Ferdinand liked what he saw from United from an attacking perspective, but had concerns about the squad defensively and has called for the team to become more comfortable sitting back and absorbing pressure in games.
'In the first half I asked them to feel uncomfortable and to enjoy sometimes standing on the edge of your penalty area, with a bench of four and a bench of five, and not allowing a big gap between the midfield and the defenders. They did that,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
'But it's about doing it consistently, repetition after repetition after repetition. And that's where I think sometimes there's maybe a little bit of immaturity, maybe boredom creeps in and someone pops out and then they say, “Oh, we're out of shape,” and they look very open in those moments.”
