Manchester United are finally ready to make their interest in SSC Napoli left-back, Faouzi Ghoulam official by sending over a bid of £26m. The player’s agent has already been contacted by the United management and Jose Mourinho could end up with the 27-year-old in his squad next summer.
Ghoulam has missed the majority of the season with a broken knee-cap and is slowly returning to match fitness. He is contracted to the Serie A outfit till the summer of 2020 and Mourinho might just face a lot of pressure for the Algerian’s permanent signature.
Ghoulam arrived at the Stadio San Paolo in the winter of 2014 after impressing for French outfit, Saint Etienne. He broke into the European stage after making his Ligue 1 debut against Valenciennes in the 2010/11 season. He cemented his spot in the Etienne first team and went on to make 87 appearances for the club while scoring one and assisting 7.
He has been a standout performer for Napoli as well, being fielded as an immediate starter under Rafael Benitez. Even Maurizio Sarri has favoured the versatile full-back and Ghoulam can be a major part of Gli Azzurri’s immediate future.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Ghoulam is one of the more physically imposing defenders who can still make an impact on the offensive end. He might not be the fastest on the world stage but is agile enough to take on pacey wingers.
Manchester United’s system could do with a domineering presence at the backline next season and address the inconsistencies of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. Ever since Eric Bailly went down to a long bout on the sidelines, the Red Devils backline has looked vulnerable without a first choice left-back in the side.
Ashley Young has been terrific as a makeshift option but is still needs to learn all the traits of a defender. Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian are very close to quitting the Old Trafford altogether and Mourinho will need able replacements, not that the duo has found much game time either.
Their bitter rivals and next door neighbours seem to have upped them in almost every competition this season except the FA Cup. While Pep Guardiola is enjoying a dream season in England, perched at the top of the Premier League, Mourinho has been left to contemplate on his immediate future with Manchester United.
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Ed Woodward has been more than compliant to all the Portuguese’s requests. If Mourinho, does end up staying for another season, a war chest is expected to be provided to him by the United ownership and Ghoulam can be their primary signing come June.
