:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59740925/920022066.jpg.0.jpg)
Manchester United are reportedly willing to shell out £44 million for Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj. That is the cost of activating the Albanian defender’s release clause, according to an exclusive from Alvise Cagnazzo in the Sun. We’ve checked, and this is the same guy that claimed we were in negotiations for Paulo Dybala back in 2016, so we should probably take his report with a pinch of salt.
That said, Hysaj has established himself as a key figure in Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli side that have offered a gallant challenge for the Serie A title this season. Indeed, he’s barely missed a game since arriving in Naples from Empoli three years ago, and given that he’s still only 24, he could yet develop into one of the world’s very best defenders.
Like the outgoing Matteo Darmian, Hysaj is capable of playing on both sides of the defence, and José Mourinho may well take kindly to a player much better known for sturdy tackling than swashbuckling runs. That United need reinforcements in the full-back areas is clear, and Hysaj could well be the man for the job.