Man Utd ‘in the shadows’ for Lisandro's Argentina teammate?

Robin Bairner

• 11 Jan 2024 02:02 CST
• 9 min read

Manchester United have been linked with Lens central defender Facundo Medina in the past, and the Old Trafford side would be well advised to look at the Argentina international in the weeks ahead as they seek reinforcements in that area of the field.

Raphael Varane is set to leave Man Utd in the next six months after a spectacular fall from grace at the club, and the World Cup winner, who came through the Lens youth academy, could be replaced by another player who has flourished at the Ligue 1 club.

Medina was signed by Lens from CA Talleres in €4 million and has become one of the French top flight’s best centre-backs, winning three caps for the Argentina team in the process.

Lisandro Martinez’s international teammate is attracting interest from some of Europe’s leading clubs, with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus among those keeping an eye on him, according to FootMercato.

There is also “a Premier League club whose name has not been leaked lurking in the shadows.”

Could that be Man Utd? It would certainly make some sense given their history of following the player and their need for a centre-back.

Medina would be a smart signing for the Red Devils, too. According to data analytics firm SciSports, of the current Man Utd roster of defenders, only Varane is superior to him.

Moreover, there is a belief that the 24-year-old, who is under contract in Lens until June 2026, has the potential to become a key player at Old Trafford.

This is underlined by the fact that he has the third-best central defensive stats in the whole of Ligue 1 this season – a division that is distinguished by the quality of its defending.

Off the back of his first season in the Champions League, Medina’s Estimated Transfer Value has grown to nearly €25 million.

Medina vs Ligue 1 defenders

Medina happy in Lens

Lens are trying to head off the threat of Man Utd by offering Medina, who is known for his on-ball qualities, a contract extension.

In a recent interview with Voix du Nord, he opened the door to this possibility.

“The truth is that I’m happy here. I'm happy, sincerely. I am very comfortable, very happy,” he said. “The city, the atmosphere, it resembles what I experienced in Argentina, apart from the climate. But, for the rest, everything is good.

“I feel good in my head, I want to give everything. I want to give my best all the time and for people to love me, that's very valuable and motivating. You feel their support which is very important for us.”

FootballTransfers understands, however, that a transfer this year is likely for Medina.