Manchester United FC are reportedly looking to bolster their midfield department this summer transfer window, which opens on 27th July. As always, the Red Devils have been linked to a host of players in the position, and are looking for Matic’s replacement. United have been linked lately to Geoffrey Kondogbia of Valencia who is looking to move on to the Premier League.
Kondogbia is a veteran central defensive midfielder having played for the likes of Sevilla, Inter Milan and Valencia. The 27-year old will be a replacement for Matic, who was given a long-term contract despite his age. United are thin when it comes to defensive midfielders, as Mctominay and Fred are much more comfortable playing in a box-to-box role.
The Valencia midfielder will look to be on the move as the Spanish club failed to qualify for the Champions League. The Central African midfielder joined Valencia in 2018 and is now reportedly put for sale for as less as £20m. Valencia need an urgent inflow of cash due to the pandemic scenario and their failure to get to Champions League football.
Manchester United and Tottenham are interested in getting the services of the midfielder and Kondogbia could help both the sides. Kondogbia, this season, has played 27 games in La Liga for Valencia, having scored once and set up one more. Kondogbia has great tackling and interception skills, which will benefit United in the centre of the park, and will help them keep possession.
His height and strength also mean that he is a presence in the air and wins most of his aerial duels. Matic has surely been great lately, but his age and pace are not on his side. Kondogbia will be a very like-for-like replacement for Matic, but the former is much faster and younger than the latter.
Solskjaer might be tempted to get the services of Kondogbia, because of his qualities on and off the ball. The price tag will never be a problem for the Red Devils, especially for someone with Kondogbia’s experience. With only five days to go for the summer transfer window to open, only time will tell if United get the services of Kondogbia.
