Manchester United are reportedly among the clubs interested in signing free agent defender Dan-Axel Zagadou, according to French outlet Media Foot Marseille (via Sport Witness).
The lowdown: Career so far
Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 having come through the youth system in the French capital, Zagadou made 91 appearances for Borussia Dortmund before leaving the club as a free agent last month.
The 23-year-old former France youth international played a part in the side that lifted the German Cup and the German Super Cup during his time in Germany, as well as making 14 UEFA Champions League outings for the Black and Yellows.
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Now seeking a new club, a fresh claim has emerged suggesting that Old Trafford could be a potential landing spot for Zagadou...
The latest: 'Very interested'
As per Media Foot Marseille, translated by SW, Manchester United are believed to be 'very interested' in the six-cap France Under 21 ace.
It's claimed that Inter Milan are also attempting to sign Zagadou as a replacement for the potentially PSG-bound Milan Skriniar but will need to 'watch out' for the competition from the Red Devils.
The report also states that the Ligue 1 club 'hope that Manchester United will not' move for the man described as a 'great talent' by German football writer Adam Khan to avoid complications in their ongoing move.
The verdict: No brainer
Still holding a market value of £8.1million (Transfermarkt), without the need for a transfer fee, signing Zagadou represents a wholly viable opportunity for Erik ten Hag to strengthen the defensive depth and leave money in the coffers to further bolster other positions.
Last season, the 6 foot 4 Frenchman made 22 appearances across all competitions for Dortmund, earning a 6.71 average Sofascore rating whilst winning 3.9 duels, making 2.5 clearances and completing 53.1 accurate passes on average per Bundesliga outing - highlighting strong defensive qualities as well as ball playing ability that would suit Ten Hag's preferred style of play.
Sharing similar stylistic traits with Liverpool phenomenon Ibrahima Konate, Leicester City giant Caglar Soyuncu and Barcelona star Eric Garcia (Fbref), Zagadou would be a shrewd addition to the United squad to supplement the capture of Lisandro Martinez, particularly as the club are reportedly willing to allow central defensive trio Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Eric Bailly leave the club.