Sergio Reguilon to Man Utd latest as Real Madrid clause creates transfer issue

Sergio Reguilon forced his way into Manchester United’s transfer thinking during an outstanding season at Europa League winners Sevilla.

The left-back played a starring role for Julen Lopetegui’s men’s success in Germany last month, which included their 2-1 semi-final win over United.

That has led the 23-year-old into the senior Spain set up for the first time, with Reguilon making his debut for La Roja in their 4-0 Nations League win over Ukraine at the weekend.

But United’s interest in Reguilon isn’t merely some overnight decision based around his recent rise to prominence.

Over the course of the entire coronavirus-interrupted 2019-20 campaign, Reguilon has been tracked by United’s recruitment department – as first reported by the Manchester Evening News – as they look at how to improve the squad.

Luke Shaw was first-choice at left-back last term, with Brandon Williams operating as his deputy.

However, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continues to evolve his side from top four contenders into a side capable of fighting Liverpool and Manchester City for the title, he is open to upgrading further.

And that has led United towards potentially acquiring a new left-back, with continued injury concerns over Shaw and with Williams’ form having tailed off towards the end of last term; there is also a school of thought that right-footed Williams would be better served reverting to right-back, backing up Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Alex Telles, of Porto, has been offered, with the Portuguese club keen to sell as the Brazilian has just one year left on his contract at the Estadio Dragao.

But Reguilon has emerged as the man most likely.

Both Marcelo and Ferland Mendy are ahead of him in the pecking order back at Real Madrid, meaning he is available.

Sevilla have been keen to take him on loan again, while Napoli have been favourites to complete a permanent, £25million transfer.

However, reports in Naples on Monday night claimed that the Italian side are facing up to losing out to United

And that has been backed up in Spain by claims from Madrid and COPE that United are in pole position.

However, there remains an issue.

While Madrid are OK with selling Reguilon, they want to include a buy-back clause – as they successfully have done previously, notably with Dani Carvajal at Bayer Leverkusen.

That is not something which sits well at Old Trafford, with the club well aware that, should Reguilon impress, then his value is only going to shoot above any clause – thus handicapping United and allowing Madrid to retain a major hold over his long-term future.

As such, the question is whether, if United are ready to make he plunge, they can persuade the Spanish champions to give up all rights to Reguilon?

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