Manchester United Transfer News: Aymeric Laporte a Perfect Fit for Red Devils

The opportunity to acquire one of the world’s finest young central defenders is not something that comes around very often. Manchester United, it would appear, are in the aforementioned privileged position and should do everything in their power to bring young Athletic Club defender Aymeric Laporte, 20, to Old Trafford.

He’s a player who may cost a whopping £32 million, as noted by the Mirror’s Adrian Kajumba (h/t Hannah Duncan of Metro), and someone who may not adapt immediately to the notoriously abrasive nature of English football. But in terms of quality and longevity, it’d be money well spent by Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal.

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Here’s a look at why Laporte is revered as one of the world’s best young defenders:

Bleacher Report Spanish football expert Guillem Balague recently outlined the situation regarding the player:

So it would seem everything is in place for United, something that is exceptionally rare in the January transfer window when it comes to the very best players. But they should be swift in their transfer business; according to Kajumba, the mighty Real Madrid are also keeping a close eye on the dynamic defender.

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With the club’s new kit deal with Adidas set to bankroll a rapacious summer spend, per Mike Keegan for the Mail Online, the money is definitely there in principal. But bringing in Laporte in January would allow him to sample the Premier League before he starts his first full season with the club, one that United hope will see Champions League football back at Old Trafford.

For a player so young, Laporte has racked up some pretty impressive numbers, per WhoScored.com:

The most encouraging thing about the aforementioned statistic is that it shows Laporte possesses a fundamental defensive understanding to complement his physical characteristics. In many respects, those traits are the true mark of an out-and-out defender; to have those attributes at such a young age is what sets the Athletic man apart from the rest.

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The Frenchman has the burly somatotype to cope with the Premier League too. He’s been an imposing presence at the heart of the Athletic back four, showcasing a serene assurance in the air and an understated turn of speed across the ground.

Beginning to sound like the perfect central defender? The player’s former manager, Marcelo Bielsa, certainly thinks so, per Bleacher Report French football expert Andrew Gibney:

It’s easy to see why the Old Trafford club have showcased an interest, Van Gaal in particular. Under Bielsa, Laporte showcased an ability to thrive in a system based on an unrelentingly ferocious tempo and play in myriad different systems, including formations that included three orthodox central defenders. It's this versatility, among other aforementioned qualities, that should prompt United into action.

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The brilliance of David de Gea has spared United’s defensive frailties on many occasions so far this season, and it’s wholly apparent the club have a need to invest in their back line. The big-money acquisition of Luke Shaw in the summer suggests they’re willing to build a young back four that can blossom together too.

Laporte could be at the heart of a prosperous defence for years, but you get the impression United need to act quickly if they’re to land him. Currently, Laporte’s stature in the game is perhaps not as high as it should be, but with the European champions reportedly sniffing around, another distinguished spell of matches in the second half of the season could quickly change that.