Manchester United suffer transfer blow as defensive target's release clause set to be tripled - Reports
Manchester United have reportedly been dealt a major blow in their attempt to sign Argentine star Nahuel Molina from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish club are eager to keep hold of the defender amid interest from the Premier League, and are set to raise his release clause.
This season, the full-back position has been a concern for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag due to a series of injuries. The club is missing a number of senior full-backs through injury, and this has affected their performance.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia are all out injured, with Sergio Reguilon only just returning to action. Even without the injuries, the Red Devils were keen on signing a new right-back to compete for places with Diogo Dalot and Wan-Bissaka.
Atletico Madrid man Nahuel Molina was one of the top options looked at by Manchester United, with his release clause pegged at €30 million, as per Fichajes. Los Colchoneros are, however, keen on holding on the 25-year-old, and are set to increase his release clause by offering him a new deal.
The Spanish outfit are set to triple his release clause to €90 million amid interest from the Red Devils, as well as Unai Emery's Aston Villa. The former Udinese man has yet to receive the official proposal and so, has not responded yet, but the coming months will be key.
Manchester United troubled by injuries, player unavailability this season
Heading into the new season, there was a lot of positivity from the Manchester United camp after their impressive showings last season. They had ended a six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup, and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
Their season began to unravel as problems popped up, ranging from injuries to off-the-pitch issues that left players unavailable to play. The likes of Jadon Sancho and Antony have missed games this reason, and several players have been injured.
Erik ten Hag has been forced to play summer signing Sofyan Amrabat as a makeshift left-back due to the crippling crisis. The club has also had to play veteran signing Jonny Evans due to the injury picked up by Lisandro Martinez.
The Red Devils have picked up three wins on the bounce to ease some of the pressure on ten Hag. They will be hopeful of grinding out wins until their injury problems are eased and more players recover or signings arrive.