Manchester United Considering Move for Monaco Star Benoît Badiashile

02 August 2020 10:48

Manchester United have reportedly entered into talks with French side Monaco concerning their promising centre-back Benoît Badiashile, although they will face stiff competition from other sides in Europe.


In his second year of senior football, Badiashile featured 20 times for Monaco before the French season was prematurely curtailed in March following the coronavirus pandemic. After starting the campaign as a fixture of the side under manager Leonardo Jardim, the 19-year-old struggled for first-team opportunities when Robert Moreno was appointed as head coach.


Badiashile has been at Monaco since joining their academy in 2016

Badiashile made only four league appearances from December onwards and has been afforded just 36 top flight appearances in his embryonic career. Yet, this lack of game time has done little to harm his reputation among Europe's elite clubs.


Manchester United have begun discussions with Monaco regarding a possible deal for Badiashile according to French TF1 journalist Julien Maynard. The Premier League club are one of three sides supposedly vying for the teenager's signature.


The newly crowned La Liga champions Real Madrid are also thought to be monitoring Badiashile as reported by Spanish publication AS. Monaco's number 32 has caught the eye of manager Zinedine Zidane and has already been lumbered with the wholly unnecessary title of 'the new Raphaël Varane'.


Badiashile has been likened to his compatriot at Real Madrid Raphaël Varane

Maynard previously reported that Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen had a €15m bid for the left-footed centre-back swiftly rejected as Monaco are prepared to hold out for a higher offer. Although, the German Cup runners up are still very much interested in the talented youngster.


Manchester United have also been linked with fellow Ligue 1 centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes. The Lille defender is three years older than Badiashile and can boast slightly more experience of senior football having spent a season in the Brazilian second tier as well as the previous two campaigns in Ligue 1. Gabriel may prove to be the cheaper option as his valuation is considered to be around £20m.


Source: 90min