Ten Hag dealt crushing blow as Man Utd miss out on CRUCIAL transfer target

Cameron Smith

• 7 Jan 2024 15:21 CST
• 3 min read

Manchester United may miss out on Paris Saint-Germain defender Nordi Mukiele as Bayern Munich have joined the race to sign the Frenchman.

Mukiele, 26, has only started four Ligue 1 games so far this season and is eyeing up a return to the Bundesliga following his successful stint at RB Leipzig.

According to L’Equipe, Bayern have submitted an offer to sign Mukiele on loan until the end of the 2023-24 season, with an option to buy worth €25 million included.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that Bayern are engrossed in transfer negotiations with PSG. He told his YouTube channel: “There is a lot of movement on the market, obviously as we are in the January transfer market, and Nordi Mukiele is one more player we have to add to the list of Bayern.

“They are looking for a player who can play at right-back and centre-back and Mukiele would be perfect. The conversation with PSG is ongoing, it’s not an easy deal so let’s see what happens for Nordi Mukiele, who is already approved by Thomas Tuchel.”

This news will come as a hammer blow to Erik ten Hag, who was keen to add Mukiele to his ranks thanks to his ability to cover at both right-back and centre-back.

Man Utd wanted to sign PSG’s Nordi Mukiele

Man Utd’s interest in the PSG star was first reported by FootballTransfers back in October, with sources informing us that Mukiele was being monitored by the Red Devils’ hierarchy ahead of the January window.

However, they look set to be beaten by Bayern, who will be able to offer Mukiele the chance to play in the Champions League knockout stages.

Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have shared minutes at right-back for Man Utd this season, with Ten Hag seemingly not convinced by either player.

As a result, the club continue to be linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, while Mukiele was also identified as a possible solution.

But, Ten Hag is on the verge of being left empty-handed in that regard, with Mukiele seemingly off to Bayern and Frimpong preferring a move to Arsenal.