Man Utd set up 'private meeting' with transfer target as race to replace Shaw heats up

Manchester United are stepping up plans to make their next signing by reportedly arranging a meeting for talks with Fenerbahce star Ferdi Kadioglu, after Luke Shaw suffered yet another injury setback.

The Red Devils are ready to battle it out with Brighton for the Turkey international after it emerged the Super Lig giants could be ready to sell him in the summer transfer window.

Turkish outlet Fotospor have reported United are increasing their efforts to try and bring in the 24-year-old, although they face a race against time after Brighton made their first bid.

Brighton have reportedly offered £29.8m (€35m), although the Seagulls may be willing to increase their bid to £34.1m (€40m), according to the report.

That gives United a clear idea of how much the left-back could potentially cost after splashing out over £150m this summer on Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Joshua Zirkee and Leny Yoro.

Fenerbahce, now managed by former United boss Jose Mourinho after hiring him in June, failed to qualify for the Champions League this season. It means their president Ali Koc is considering selling the player in this window – even if Mourinho is against the idea.

United have reportedly arranged a ‘private meeting’ with the full-back and his representatives to offer their proposal, which they will use to try and convince him to snub Brighton and head to Manchester instead.

The club already have one Turkish player on their books, goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who may be able to help convince Kadioglu to join him at Old Trafford.

Despite already bringing in three new defenders this summer, the left-back area has become a particular issue for Ten Hag to resolve amid Shaw’s injury troubles and Tyrell Malacia’s continued absence.

The England international spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign sidelined with a hamstring problem. Despite that, he was included in England’s Euro 2024 squad and featured in the knockout stages.

But in a fresh blow, Shaw suffered a calf injury at the start of pre-season training and is yet to recover, with United estimating his return to the first-team to be sometime in September.

With Shaw and Malacia out, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot have been forced to deputise in an uncomfortable position and Ten Hag has sought to address that by moving for Kadioglu.

The report adds Kadioglu is ‘open to joining both’ clubs, with the coming days likely to be crucial in determining which Premier League club he ends up at.