Manchester United are pursuing a deal for a Bundesliga star in what could become a brand new direction for how the club recruit players.
RB Leipzig midfielder Konrad Laimer is being targeted, according to German publication Bild, in a move almost certainly spearheaded by current interim manager Ralf Rangnick, who is stepping into a consultancy role at the end of the season.
Laimer is not the prototypical United signing, either. The 24-year-old is out of contract next season and should be available cheaply – while his positional intelligence is one of his biggest strengths.
While United have often favoured big names and up-and-coming stars over the past few years in the transfer market, Laimer is an example of how the strategy is altering at Old Trafford. A utility man who can operate in a number of systems, the Austrian is more of a system player and a better presser than many of United's midfielders.
With Erik Ten Hag expected to take the United job this summer, the Dutchman will favour a style reliant on intensity off the ball and good structure in possession. While Laimer is not the world-class name that Red Devils supporters are used to being linked to, he fits the bill as a squad player.
United are expected to lose a number of A-listers this summer, in the form of Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Pogba, while the likes of Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire have also been touted for exits.
Laimer is valued at around £23m by Transfermarkt.
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Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has called for his teammates to raise their standards.
