Manchester United Still In The Race For Feynoord Defender Despite Lyon Bids

Manchester United remain in the race for transfer target Tyrell Malacia despite three separate bids from Lyon

Over the course of the 2022 transfer window Manchester United have been continuously linked with players Erik ten Hag is familiar with, including the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Antony, Christian Eriksen and Malacia is no different.

The 22 year old full-back has two years remaining on his contract at Feynoord and has recently spoken about his future, claiming he’s ready to take the next step.

It has been reported today by Jonathan Northcroft from The Sunday Times that Manchester United are facing competition from Lyon, who have submitted three separate bids for the Feynoord defender.

Tyrell Malacia in action against Wales. (Alamy)

Manchester United will want to complete the deal for De Jong to avoid another one of ten Hag’s targets being signed by another club and it is believed that after United complete the deal for the Dutch midfielder a flurry of transfers could come in.

With reports from Fabrizio Romano saying that Lyon have an agreement in place with Feynoord for a fee of €15m it is thought that Manchester United could secure the deal at a similar price but will need to move quickly as Lyon are making headway on the deal.

United’s current starting left-back Luke Shaw missed large chunks of the season due to injury and it has been reported by Simon Mullock of the Mirror that Erik ten Hag wants top quality competition for the England international and sees Tyrell Malacia as someone who could fill that role.

United’s current backup option for Luke Shaw is Alex Telles but it is thought that Erik ten Hag would like to bring in Malacia as an upgrade on the Brazilian and to improve Manchester United’s strength in depth.

The Dutch defender made an impressive 32 appearances in the Eredivisie for Feynoord last season and played a crucial role in their run to the final of the Europa Conference League.

Tyrell Malacia taking instruction from former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. (Alamy)

The young full-back has come up through the Feynoord academy and has gone on to make 136 appearances for them, cementing a starting spot at left-back in the last few seasons. Malacia has also become a full Dutch international, making his debut at the beginning of the 21/22 season against Montenegro.

Erik ten Hag will be very familiar with Malacia’s talents due to managing in the Eredivisie with Ajax and the exciting defender has commanded serious plaudits after some quality showings this season.

Erik ten Hag is due to report to Carrington training complex on Sunday as Manchester United’s pre-season training commences on 26 June.

The club will fly to Bangkok to face Liverpool on 12 July in the first of six pre-season friendlies, before heading over to Australia to play Melbourne Victory, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa.

The side will then head back to Northern Europe to face Atletico Madrid in Oslo on 30 July, before a fixture at Old Trafford the next day against Rayo Vallecano sees the club wrap their pre-season tour up before kicking their Premier League season off against Brighton & Hove Albion on the 2022/23 opening weekend.