Man Utd signing this La Liga man with £10m release clause would be simply brilliant

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Rohan Sengupta

Why Manchester United should make a move for Mohammed Salisu

According to Spanish news outlet AS (h/t the Daily Mail), Manchester United are interested in signing Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu.

The 20-year-old defender has impressed in his breakthrough season for Real Valladolid, bagging a goal and an assist in 23 La Liga games. The Ghanaian signed a new deal at Valladolid last May and while his contract runs out in 2022, he also has a release clause of just £10million, AS (h/t the Daily Mail) claims.

The report (h/t the Daily Mail) adds that La Liga duo Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are also interested in Mohammed Salisu but Manchester United are leading the race for the young defender.

Real Valladolid's Mohammed Salisu (L) protects the ball from Barcelona's Luis Suarez (R). (Getty Images)
Real Valladolid’s Mohammed Salisu (L) protects the ball from Barcelona’s Luis Suarez (R). (Getty Images)

The Red Devils haven’t been able to stem the flow of goals this season despite spending big in the summer. They signed Harry Maguire from Leicester City for £80m – a world record fee for a defender, whilst also acquiring the services of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace in a £50m deal. (h/t BBC) Yet, United have conceded 29 goals in 25 games and are currently eighth in the table.

Maguire has enjoyed a decent debut campaign at Old Trafford but he is yet to really get a strong partner alongside him in central defence. Victor Lindelof has blown hot and cold but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has retained his faith in the Swede at the back. Marcos Rojo joined Estudiantes on loan in January until the end of the season, while Phil Jones’ performances don’t merit him a starting berth at the club.

Eric Bailly is yet to play this season due to injury sustained in the pre-season tour and Axel Tuanzebe has been out since December after forced off injured in the Carabao Cup victory against Colchester. Thus, Solskjaer should make it one of his priorities to strengthen his defence before next season. In that regard, United must go for Mohammed Salisu.

Manchester United players celebrate after scoring. (Getty Images)
Manchester United players celebrate after scoring. (Getty Images)

Salisu is one of the most promising young defenders in Europe and has enjoyed a brilliant campaign in central defence for Real Valladolid. He is yet to be capped at the international level but the Ghanaian would be a perfect fit for United, with Solskjaer trusting young talents and academy products while rebuilding the club.

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The likes of Maguire, Lindelof, Bailly and Tuanzebe need competition at the back next season and the Red Devils signing a top young prospect like Salisu would make perfect sense.

Verdict

At the age of 20, Salisu has made a massive impression in his breakthrough season at Real Valladolid. He is a young defender with massive potential to unlock, so Solskjaer and co. would be wise to acquire the Ghana stopper’s services.