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Manchester United’s pursuit of Michael Kayode is beneath menace as Liverpool are “plotting a transfer” for the 21-year-old defender, in keeping with a brand new report.
Liverpool able to raid
The Merseyside membership have endured a depressing marketing campaign regardless of spending practically £450 million final summer time after failing to adequately reinforce their backline.
An damage disaster at right-back – Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are each dominated out – has led Arne Slot to redeploy Dominik Szoboszlai in defence, with the Hungary captain despatched off towards Manchester Metropolis within the last-minute defeat at Anfield on Sunday.
Bradley has suffered a critical knee damage and isn’t anticipated to characteristic once more this season. Conversely, whereas Frimpong will return to full health this month, the Netherlands worldwide has struggled at right-back along with his breakthrough season with Bayer Leverkusen coming in a extra superior function.
Consequently, Slot has requested the “recruitment group to search for extra dynamic choices on the proper aspect of defence,” in keeping with Sports Boom.
This has led Liverpool to focus on Kayode, with the Brentford full-back having “impressed” the Dutch supervisor this season.
“The 21-year-old has been a revelation throughout Keith Andrews’ first marketing campaign within the dugout on the GTech Group Stadium. His lengthy throws, bustling runs down the flank and unbelievable work fee have caught the attention of Reds’ boss Arne Slot, our sources have been instructed.”
Nevertheless, Kayode’s standout performances in west London have additionally put him on the radar of the 2 Manchester golf equipment, with each the red and blue halves of the city contemplating a swoop this summer time.
Newcastle are additionally understood to be preserving a detailed eye on the Italy U-21 worldwide, who joined Brentford from Fiorentina on mortgage in January final 12 months, earlier than the Bees made the transfer everlasting for £17.5 million six months later.
United on the hunt
One in all Kayode’s finest attributes is his versatility. A right-back by commerce, he’s additionally able to enjoying at left-back, and even in a again three as an outdoor centre-back, having made 30 appearances in all competitions this season.
Michael Kayode Stats: 2025/26 Season
| Competitors | Appearances | Begins | Objectives | Assists | Yellow Playing cards | Purple Playing cards | Minutes Performed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 25 | 25 | – | – | 6 | – | 2,184′ |
| EFL Cup | 4 | 1 | – | – | 1 | – | 137′ |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1′ |
| Whole | 30 | 26 | – | – | 7 | – | 2,322′ |
United are anticipated to contemplate defensive reinforcements this summer time, with Harry Maguire’s future uncertain and Diogo Dalot being linked with a move abroad.
Moreover, Patrick Dorgu has been reinvented as a left-winger beneath caretaker coach Michael Carrick, leaving Luke Shaw as the one different possibility at left-back ought to the Dane stay in his new place.
As such, a younger, versatile defender with Premier League pedigree would current an astute signing to bolster the squad throughout plenty of positions.
One different attention-grabbing a part of Kayode’s recreation are his excellent lengthy throws, which have been described as a “devastating weapon”. The Premier League has shifted closely in the direction of the usage of set-pieces this season, additional incentivising the prospect of recruiting a participant with a cannon arm in his arsenal.
Featured picture Mike Hewitt by way of Getty Photographs
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