Manchester United are interested in signing Nicolas Tagliafico with Erik ten Hag a huge fan of the former Ajax defender.
United have been linked with a number of left backs since news emerged of Luke Shaw’s injury lay-off.
Shaw could miss a number of months with injury and backup Tyrell Malacia is also on the sidelines.
We have seen three Spanish left backs – Marc Cucurella, Sergio Reguilon and Marcos Alonso – linked in recent days.
English left backs like Rico Henry and Luke Thomas have been linked too with United seemingly considering a number of options.
Cucurella seems to be the favourite right now but United do have another option in the mix – and it’s somebody with history under Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United keen on Nicolas Tagliafico
Fabrizio Romano reported on Tuesday that United had made a call to try and sign Lyon left back Nicolas Tagliafico.
The Argentinian would represent an experienced option for United as he turns 31 on Thursday.
Tagliafico joined Lyon last summer as the Ligue 1 side paid just €4.2million (£3.6million) in a bargain move.
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A deal for Tagliafico isn’t easy; Goal reporter Marc Mechenoua claims that Lyon only want to let Tagliafico go on loan if United have a mandatory purchase clause, with talks ongoing.
That leaves United with much to think about as Cucurella seemingly becomes a more likely addition before the deadline.
Erik ten Hag a big fan of Tagliafico
If anybody would push for this signing, it may just be Erik ten Hag.
We already know that Ten Hag loves signing players he has previously coached; Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez and Antony are proof of that.
Then we have summer targets Ryan Gravenberch, Sofyan Amrabat and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, who have all played under Ten Hag before.
Tagliafico is the same having racked up 169 appearances under Ten Hag at Ajax, bagging 16 goals and 23 assists in the process.
When Ten Hag left Ajax to become United boss, we covered quotes in which he told Ajax Showtime about his love for Tagliafico.
“A great character, who actually never whines. Of course he was dissatisfied when he didn’t play, but always give one hundred percent in training. When he had to, he was there and that’s important,” said Ten Hag. “He has fought for the team, fought for Ajax, brought quality and ultimately made a very big contribution to the championship.
“I think he’s such a great person, who has a lot of great angles. So as a person he is completely okay, but also as a football player he has made a great contribution.
“He has been with me from the beginning to the end. I am extremely grateful to him for the collaboration, but certainly also for what he has delivered for Ajax as a person and as a football player,” he added.
That’s a pretty incredible verdict both as a player and as a person with Ten Hag no doubt the driving force behind United’s push for Tagliafico this week.