Man Utd face Arsenal hijack BOMBSHELL for Ten Hag’s top target - Romano
Robin Bairner
- 17 Aug 2023 12:01 BST
- 4 min read
Manchester United face the prospect of losing out on one of Erik ten Hag’s leading targets to Premier League rivals Arsenal, according to football transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano.
Ten Hag has lined up Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard as his leading option to replace Harry Maguire in the heart of the Man Utd defence.
The France World Cup winner is one of three players that the Red Devils have been linked with, but has been placed ahead of Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Edmond Tapsoba on the manager’s transfer shortlist.
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Romano has warned, however, that the Red Devils’ dithering over a deal could see one of two clubs swoop for him. Arsenal are weighing up a move, while Inter are extremely keen on the player.
With Maguire’s situation apparently in limbo, Man Utd do not want to sign a player that would push the England international further out of the picture. This is a question of finances rather than the former Leicester star’s happiness.
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Romano has tweeted: “Benjamin Pavard, one to watch as he’s prepared to leave Bayern now.
“Inter have Pavard on top of the list — proposal expected soon to open talks.
“Man Utd deal stalling due to Maguire situation.
“Could become option for Arsenal to replace Jurrien Timber — no decision yet.”
Pavard to Arsenal
Pavard would be a curious option for Arsenal to replace Timber, who is out with knee ligament damage, with given that he plays on the opposite side of the defence.
Furthermore, one of the reasons that he is happy to leave Bayern Munich is because he sees himself as a centre-back and not a full-back, and therefore wants a club where that will be his primary position.
Arsenal could use him to rotate with William Saliba in the heart of their defence and leave Ben White as their starting right-back, however.
Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, hinted towards a transfer on Thursday when speaking to the media.
He said: “We did not plan for this injury so we have to assess now what the options, the best way to get the best out of the players that we have.”
Certainly, the news of this increased transfer interest in Pavard is not something Ten Hag or Man Utd will welcome late in the window.
