Man Utd in 'very advanced talks' with January target after pulsating Galatasaray stalemate

Manchester United are said to be in very advanced talks to sign Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin. The Red Devils are in desperate need of defensive reinforcements after conceding another three goals in the Champions League on Wednesday night. United twice blew a two-goal lead as they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Galatasaray.

Erik ten Hag’s side have endured all sorts of issues at the back this season and were exposed time and time again against Galatasaray. And, according to Romanian outlet ProSport, United have now entered into secret talks to prise Dragusin away from Genoa as early as January.

The Red Devils have shown concrete interest in the 21-year-old and see him as the ideal man to cover the holes in their defence. But they will face competition from their Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle, as well as Barcelona and AC Milan, with those five suitors already demanding information on how they can secure a transfer.

Dragusin signed a permanent deal with Genoa in the summer after spending the last campaign at the club on loan from Juventus. The Romania international played all 38 of his team’s league matches last season as Genoa finished second in Serie B and won promotion to Italy’s top-flight. And the ace is yet to miss a minute of league action this time around, with his side currently 15th in the table.

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Dragusin, who has won 12 caps for his country, has enjoyed a string of stand-out performances this campaign. And he negotiated a £26million release clause when he put pen-to-paper on a permanent deal with his current employers.

United are willing to make a significant financial effort to get their hands on the young star as Ten Hag attempts to find the answers to his defensive woes. And Dragusin could represent excellent value for money if the Red Devils land him in the New Year.

“We were winning and then we’re losing [points]”, Ten Hag explained as he addressed reporters after United’s draw with Galatasaray. “We should have taken three points, clear. That is also [the case] in more games – at home against Galatasaray, away in Copenhagen, we played so good.

“I have to make a big compliment to the team but, in the same moment, I have to criticise the team and us as a coaching staff, and me as a manager. We are not defending good enough. We are leading 3-1 and you can’t afford the mistakes we’re making because that makes the difference.”