Transfer business has been slow at Old Trafford so far, but this German club’s sporting director’s comments might take the club out of second gear in the transfer market.
With Alex Telles failing to impress since joining the club in 2020, Manchester United are in the market for a left back who can provide not only cover but genuine competition to Luke Shaw, who is at his best when being pushed.
High up on this list is German left back David Raum, who had a breakout season at Hoffenheim where he racked up 11 Bundesliga assists - only four players had more - and cemented his spot in the German National Team.
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Despite just being at the club one season, interest in the player is high and when speaking to Sky Sports Germany, Hoffenheim’s sporting director Alexander Rosen commented about the player, saying that Hoffenheim would prefer to keep hold of Raum, but not ruling out a sale.
His comments were "I would prefer to keep him, at the end of the day, it depends on what the market looks like and what chance the player has.
“If a top club comes and he gets the opportunity, then, of course, we will sit down with him. In the end, it's always about an exchange based on trust."
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Hoffenheim’s head coach, Andre Breitenreiter, gave a little less away than his sporting director but doubled down on the determination to keep the player, commenting: "It's not a problem for me. We have already had contact. He should rest now for the time being.
“But it's no secret that I prefer to have him with me. I am the coach and want to have the best players in my team, but there are also always club interests. For me, that's not a problem."
It has been reported that Raum would cost in the €30 to 35 million region, a fee that would not shave too much off Manchester United’s summer budget. The Old Trafford outfit are yet to sign a player this summer, with frustrations increasing amongst but not limited to the fanbase.
However, confidence has been growing in the corridors of Old Trafford that the Theatre of Dreams will see the unveiling of a new star soon, and the signing of one player could be a trigger for two, three or even four more signings in quick succession.
Aged just 24, the German left back would add plenty of attacking quality to United’s left hand side and push Luke Shaw all the way to compete for that left back spot at Old Trafford, which can only be a good thing for Erik ten Hag as he looks to take Manchester United back to where they belong.
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Raum wasn’t built in a day, but this signing could play a big part in rebuilding Manchester United’s fallen empire.
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.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Erik Ten Hag, Hoffenheim