Manchester United are plotting a move for Borussia Dortmund defender Marc Batra. According to recent reports in the Spanish press, the Red Devils are one of the many clubs interested in securing his services from the Bundesliga club. The Manchester outfit has already signed Chilean international Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal earlier in this transfer window and could now look to bolster their defensive options by recruiting the 27-year-old former Barcelona centre-back.
Batra signed for Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2016 from Barcelona and has gone on to 51 appearances for the German outfit, scoring 5 goals and making 5 assists so far. It is believed that United are not the only ones looking to recruit him with rivals Manchester City as well as Juventus and Real Betis looking to land his signature before the transfer window comes to a close at the end of this month. The 27-year-old defender has fallen out of favour at Westfalenstadion this season under new manager Peter Stoger and it has been reported that the Bundesliga club are willing to let him leave in this January transfer window.
It is understood that Real Betis only wants to take him on loan this month. Batra has featured in 20 matches for Dortmund this season and has scored four goals while making one assist in all competitions.
Manchester United are currently in second place in the Premier League standings with a tally of 53 points in 24 league matches. On any other season, the Red Devils would be in with a chance of securing the league title but the record-breaking form of crosstown rivals Manchester City has seen them fall behind in the title race. Pep Guardiola’s side is leading the Premier League by 12 points with United desperate to keep up with their ‘noisy neighbours’.
Mourinho added Alexis Sanchez to his squad for last night’s FA Cup tie against Yeovil Town and it has started to pay dividends as the Chilean notched up with an assist in United’s 4-0 thrashing of the fourth-tier club.
Batra has a wealth of experience in La Liga from his time at Barcelona and he has also made a mark in the Bundesliga with some impressive performances for Dortmund in the past two seasons. The addition of the Spaniard will undoubtedly bolster Mourinho’s defensive options at Old Trafford going into the second half of the campaign. It remains to be seen what lies ahead in the future of Batra and whether the Red Devils are successful in fending off stiff competition in their pursuit of the Spanish international.
