Manchester United are continuously being linked with a move for one £34m player, but there’s a far better option.
For Erik ten Hag, there’s no shortage of positions he will be wanting to strengthen this summer after a torrid season.
In the upcoming transfer window, the priority positions are central defence, midfield and striker, but this hasn’t stopped links to another area.
For what feels like years, Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong has been linked with a £34m move to Old Trafford.
But for a few reasons, this just isn’t logical for Manchester United.
Diogo Dalot is irreplaceable right now, and also Frimpong is less of a right-back and more of a winger which doesn’t suit United.
Here’s who we’d pick.
Why Manchester United should target Michael Kayode
The man we think could be a really interesting option should United remain insistent on signing a right-back is Fiorentina’s Michael Kayode.
The 19-year-old Italian has been very impressive this season for Fiorentina in their Serie A efforts and Europa Conference League run.
With a market value of £17m, as per CIES, Kayode would cost just half what Frimpong would cost this summer and therefore seems by far the better choice, given right-back isn’t much of a priority.
In August 2023, Kayode’s manager Vincenzo Italiano praised the young right-back.
He explained: “Kayode has a strong character, he fears nothing and it’s important when you are this young.”
Strong character is pivotal for a United player considering the pressure which will arrive.
The reason we like this move so much is it resembles the deal for Tyrell Malacia given he’s a talented young but experienced full-back.
Let’s take a look at how his 2023/24 season is going…
How would Kayode fit in under Erik ten Hag?
If he were signed this summer, Kayode would slot right in as the natural backup for Dalot. This would mean replacing Aaron Wan-Bissaka who’s been linked with Inter Milan.
Kayode resembles a less polished version of Dalot with work to do off the ball, but going forward he’s already immense.
Kayode would be a really smart pick-up and a long-term successor.
This season for Fiorentina, he’s played 21 games with 17 being starts which have seen him score an average rating of 7.15, on FotMob.
Hopefully, Kayode is a name that United take note of and consider this summer over Frimpong. But we’ll have to wait and see.