Manchester United Transfer News: Joachim Andersen Wanted in Latest Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly joined the list of suitors for Sampdoria defender Joachim Andersen, one of the top youngsters in Serie A this season.

According to La Repubblica (h/t Sport Witness' Tom Coast), manager Jose Mourinho has been convinced of the Dane's talent. The Red Devils have long been linked with several centre-backs, including Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire, and Andersen may finally solve their defensive issues.

Andersen has been linked with a move away from Sampdoria for some time now, with Juventus most often mentioned as a destination. Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) added a bunch of other clubs to the mix, including Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Sevilla.   

According to La Repubblica (h/t Coast), United's new head of fitness, Stefano Rapetti, previously worked for Sampdoria, and he's the one who turned Mourinho onto Andersen. Four scouts watched the 22-year-old in the 4-1 loss to Torino on Sunday and were "extremely positive" about the youngster after previous trips.

Andersen has started all 11 of Sampdoria's Serie A matches so far this season, running the team's defensive unit. He moved to Genoa in 2017, arriving in Italy as the replacement for Milan Skriniar after spending time with FC Twente in the Netherlands.

The later now plays for Inter Milan after breaking through at Sampdoria, and Andersen's rise has been just as impressive. Here are some of his highlights from this season:

Per these latest reports, Sampdoria will demand at least €30 million for their latest defensive star, and the club are not interested in selling in January. Coast added that "money talks," however, and the Red Devils could go for broke and make the type of offer the Italians can't turn down.

The Red Devils were linked with several centre-backs throughout summer, only to sign none of them. Their current top options include Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, and that's not good enough for a team of this caliber. United rank 15th in goals allowed (18) and are seventh in the table.

Andersen could be an excellent long-term signing with significant upside, even if the Red Devils would be expected to add a veteran to help out immediately as well. Such a move would allow the youngster to settle in at Old Trafford at his own pace and not be thrown into the deep end immediately.