Manchester United in 'concrete negotiations' for next signing: report

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag, May 2024
(Image credit: Alamy)

Manchester United have been one of the busiest clubs in the Premier League in the transfer window. There doesn't appear to be any sign of that stopping either, with another star in talks with the club.

The Red Devils began the window with the signing of Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, with Erik ten Hag replacing the outgoing Anthony Martial and giving Rasmus Hojlund competition up front. Leny Yoro followed through the door, as an impressive transfer hijack over Real Madrid

There are still areas of the squad that need addressing, however. Full-backs are in short supply at Old Trafford, while midfield cover is needed, too.

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Carrington Training Ground on July 14, 2024 in Manchester, England.

Joshua Zirkzee was Manchester United's first summer buy (Image credit: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United look to be addressing one of those areas imminently, however. Sky Germany's Florian Plettenberg has confirmed with a post on X (formerly Twitter) that concrete talks are ongoing for Bayern Munich star, Noussair Mazraoui.

Bayern have apparently authorised the Morocco star to leave, with United interested in his clubmate, Matthijs De Ligt, too. Recently, Dutch international Denzel Dumfries was reported to favour a move to Manchester, as per The Athletic, too. 

VIDEO EA FC 25 Upgrades: slip passes, dribbling, pass accuracy, professional fouls

Having moved to Bavaria from Ajax, Mazraoui is yet another former Eredivisie star that Ten Hag wants. This follows the likes of Zirkzee, Wout Weghorst, Lisandro Martinez, Antony, Sofyan Amrabat, Tyrell Malacia and even Mason Mount who have played club football in the Netherlands before signing for the United boss.

In FourFourTwo's view, Mazraoui is a sensible buy. He offers cover in both full-back roles and all-round quality that Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been criticised for in recent seasons. 

Noussair Mazraoui of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League match between F.C. Copenhagen and FC Bayern Munchen at Parken Stadium on October 3, 2023 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Noussair Mazraoui is in talks with United (Image credit: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Ultimately, this seems like an opportunistic signing. United need depth and Mazraoui is affordable enough to provide that, while allowing the Red Devils to sign another centre-back and a central midfield presence before the transfer window closes. 

Mazraoui is valued at €30 million by Transfermarkt. His contract expires in 2026. 

More Manchester United stories

One Manchester United transfer solution could be hijacked by Jose Mourinho, according to one report. Another says that the club are launching a spectacular move for the next Paul Pogba.

Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy has outlined his 'special' Manchester United reunion amid Erik ten Hag replacement claims.

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.