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Manchester United Transfer News: Schalke's Sead Kolasinac Claims Offer
April 28, 2014
Sead Kolasinac, Schalke's 20-year-old left-back, claims Manchester United have offered him the chance to join the Old Trafford club.
Speaking to Bosnian newspaper Dnevni Avaz, Kolasinac claims he will take time to ponder a move, reported via Anne-Marie Bojan of the Mirror:
"Yes, I have an offer from Manchester United, but I will not hurry with the decision," said Kolasinac. "I have to see what Schalke think about it."
Kolasinac, who made his first-team debut with Schalke in 2012, remains a prominent member of the Bundesliga side's defence. He has racked up 23 starts and six substitute appearances throughout the club's domestic and Champions League campaigns this season, per WhoScored.com, proving himself to be an intriguing prospect for the future.
Standing at just over 6'0", Kolasinac is developing into an ambitious full-back down Schalke's left flank. He averages 2.8 tackles, 1.7 interceptions and 2.3 clearances each game this season, but he needs to work on his final delivery. Kolasinac does have a duo of assists to his name—setting up goals against Hannover and Augsburg—indicating improvements are likely to come alongside maturity.
He is perhaps an unknown entity to many United fans, and certainly not as familiar as Southampton's Luke Shaw, who is also touted to replace Patrice Evra. Shaw recently said it's "good" to be linked with United and Chelsea, but says the Saints are "a great club," per Daniel Jones of the Metro.
The same publication claims Shaw won't agree a £30 million move to United before a new manager is named. David Moyes is said to have put in considerable groundwork to secure Shaw's signing before he was axed on Tuesday, reported by Jamie Jackson of the Guardian. The 18-year-old full-back, who was recently named in the PFA Team of the Year, appears content to remain at St. Mary's.
United's entire squad needs a dose of fresh talent. Louis van Gaal is current favourite to land the permanent role and is rumoured to be eyeing Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos and Roma's Kevin Strootman, reported by Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star.
Kolasinac wouldn't slot straight into the team like this midfield duo and may need further cover before ascending into a prominent starting role. Perhaps the new manager will provide Evra with a bit-part role, or call upon Alexander Buttner with greater regularity, but neither United player has performed consistently well this season.
Evra, in particular, has plodded his way to numerous lazy displays. Often out of position when the opposition attack down his wing, the French full-back has lost his sense of responsibility after a terrific 2012-13 campaign. Like many at United, he has grown too comfortable with a lack of competition in the squad and has fallen into the trap of complacency.
A summer of major activity awaits for United. With Evra expected to leave—per Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News—and Buttner failing to inspire, the club may be smart to plump for two developing left-backs. This way, both will escape the full brunt of pressure and can get used to their surroundings with able cover by their side.
A permanent manager is certainly needed before any decision can be made. Although Ryan Giggs' interim stint got off to a decent start during the 4-0 win over Norwich, the fallen Premier League champions have plenty of work to do before they can be considered title challengers for next season.