Man United Opinion: Reece James would be a more affordable alternative to Trippier or Wan-Bissaka
According to The Sun, Man United are weighing up a move for Chelsea starlet Reece James in the summer, with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly looking to bolster his defensive ranks.
The same report claims that new central defender and a right-back are high on the Norwegian’s wishlist at the end of the season, as he looks to build a strong enough squad to challenge the likes of Man City and Liverpool for the Premier League title.
United’s designated club-captain Antonio Valencia is out of contract in the summer, while another veteran Ashley Young has struggled for form in recent weeks.
James, though, is not the only right-back who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with the Daily Mirror claiming that Tottenham star Kieran Trippier and Crystal Palace’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also on the club’s radar.
James, who has starred for Wigan Athletic on loan in the Championship this season, is currently valued at around £15 million by Chelsea and has three years remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge.
The 19-year-old English youth international has been one of the shining lights of the Latics’ disappointing campaign in the second tier this term and has chipped in with 3 goals and 3 assists from 44 appearances.
To put things into perspective, Man United should look at Reece James as a cheaper and a more affordable alternative to the likes of Trippier and Wan-Bisssaka.
While Trippier has failed to deliver the goods on a consistent basis in north London, Wan-Bissaka’s stellar run of form has put him on the verge of a call-up to the England senior team. However, both are valued at around £40 million by their respective clubs and United would need to break the bank to get their hands on either of them.
James, on the other hand, is a highly-rated talented youngster, who has shown strong signs of promise very early in his career and he looks more than capable of making the step up to the Premier League for a top-six side.
Quick across the ground and strong on the tackle, the 19-year-old is amongst the best offensive-minded young full-backs in the country and United should look at him as a long-term investment.
Blessed with a good turn of pace and high levels of stamina, which allows him to cover every blade of grass down the right flank, James has really come of age for Paul Cook’s side in the Championship this season.
The Chelsea loanee has looked assured in defensive situations, while also venturing further up the pitch to contribute to the attack with his aggressive overlapping runs.
A wonderful crosser of the ball, who also has a penchant for setting up goals with his incisive passing, James looks like a real talent at the age of 19 and few would dare to argue that he is capable of maturing into an international stalwart like Trippier in the years to come.
James has averaged 1.7 key passes, 1.6 crosses, 1 dribble, 2.6 successful long balls and 2.1 tackles per game in the Championship this season, figures which speak volumes of his well-rounded attributes as a right-back.
It has become more and more vivid in recent weeks that United cannot continue to rely on Young if they are to challenge for silverware in the Premier League. Matteo Darmian has featured sporadically for the Red Devils this season and the Italian is likely to head for the exit door at the end of the season.
To Read More Man United News, Click Here:- Latest Man United News
Suffice to say, United are in dire need of a new right-back in the summer and Reece James can be an absolute bargain for the club, as they look to shore up their leaky backline heading into the upcoming season.
