Ten Hag hatches £22m transfer plan as secret Real Madrid clause comes to light

05 January 2024 , 11:24

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Manchester United have been watching Girona full-back Miguel Gutierrez (Image: Pedro Salado)

Manchester United are monitoring Girona 's highly rated left-back Miguel Gutierrez - but any potential deal is likely to hinge heavily on Real Madrid.

Although it remains to be seen how much Erik ten Hag will be able to spend in the January transfer window, the Dutchman is planning to be active this month and acquiring a left-back is now a priority after United exercised the break clause in Sergio Reguilon's loan deal earlier this week.

Girona have been the feel-good story in La Liga this season after emerging as unlikely title contenders and Gutierrez, 22, has been one of their most influential players.

And having caught the eye in Spain, the defender is currently being tracked by some of Europe's elite, including United. According to The Sun, United, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund all hold an interest in the Spaniard, with United sending scouts to watch Gutierrez on multiple occasions in recent weeks.

It's noted that United are admirers of Gutierrez due to his 'football IQ and attacking profile', with the full-back notching up three assists and one goal in his 20 appearances so far this term.

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However, there are significant obstacles to getting a deal done. Gutierrez is a Real Madrid academy graduate and Los Blancos hold a significant 50 per cent sell-on clause in the player as per the terms of his switch to Girona in the summer of 2022.

The report goes on to outline that Gutierrez, who was the subject of a failed £10.5million bid from Dortmund in the summer, could be prised away from the La Liga high-fliers for £22m, although Real Madrid could decide to re-sign him and sell him on themselves.

Join the debate! Where do you think Man Utd need to strengthen in January? Let us know here.

Erik ten Hag is seeking reinforcements in the January transfer window (PA)

Ten Hag has already been busy in terms of outgoing since the transfer window opened earlier this week. Out-of-favour midfielder Donny van de Beek has already joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan and Jadon Sancho could follow him out the door over the weekend.

The winger is being courted by his former club Borussia Dortmund and United are happy to sanction a loan deal for a player who has been exiled from the first-team since falling out with Ten Hag back in September.

It's understood United will bank a paltry £3m loan fee for Sancho, who was signed from the Bundesliga giants for £72million back in the summer of 2021.

Dan Marsh