Daniel Chibueze Ezeh, PBA Journalism MenteeAccording to recent reports from David Ornstein and Lurie Whitwell (via the Athletic), Manchester United has hijacked Olympique Lyon’s deal for Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia, as Erik Ten Hag looks set to enhance his defensive options ahead of the 2022/23 season.
“The agreement with Man United is there. We are now waiting for Tyrell.” – Feyenoord director Frank Arnesen said.
“If Malacia says yes, then a transfer to Manchester United is imminent”.
Malacia who shares an agency – HCM Sports Management – with Frenkie de Jong, is yet to say yes to the transfer, however, there’s a strong belief among the board that he is already a United player. The report further states that Manchester United has agreed on a deal with the Dutch club worth €17 million (€15 million fixed with a potential further €2 million in add-ons). That’s €2 million more than what Lyon had offered for the defender.
Erik Ten Hag has been a long-term admirer of the 22-year-old wing-back and wanted to sign him during his Ajax tenure.
Having come through the ranks at Feyenoord itself, Tyrell Malacia made his first-team debut on 6 December 2017 (at the age of eighteen) in a 2–1 UEFA Champions League victory over Napoli, wherein he played the full ninety minutes. Over the course of the last five years, the Dutchman has been regular at the Rotterdam-based club, bagging twelve goal contributions in ninety-seven Eredivisie matches.
Even last season, the number five managed to put up some awe-inspiring numbers on the board as he averaged 1.1 interceptions, 2.7 tackles, 1.1 key passes, 1.6 shots, 1.6 dribbles, 1.2 clearances, and 2.7 long balls per ninety minutes in the Dutch top-flight (calculated across 32 appearances). Furthermore, with an average WhoScored rating of 7.14, Malacia established himself as one of the most consistent performers on his side.
Although Feyenoord came third in the race for the league title, they reached the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Roma.
It’s beyond doubt that the Red Devils had to upgrade their options in defence to try and solve their issues at the back – and Tyrell Malacia is the perfect replacement for Alex Telles, who is not a part of Ten Hag’s rebuild plans.
His move to the Old Trafford will mean that he instantly competes with Luke Shaw for a position in the starting eleven. At 22, Malacia will only get better each season, so the €17 million fee might end up being a bargain a few years down the line.
Daniel Chibueze Ezeh, a Prime Business Africa Journalism Mentee writes From UNN
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