Man Utd ‘contact Napoli about Elseid Hysaj transfer’ but face competition from Atletico Madrid
MANCHESTER UNITED have made contact with Napoli about Elseid Hysaj, according to reports.
It is understood the Red Devils are interested in the right-back but face competition from Atletico Madrid.
According to , United are looking for a full-back who is suitable playing on both sides of the defence, presumably as a replacement for Ashley Young.
The veteran Englishman spent spells at right-back and at left-back last season.
And now the Albanian international, 25, could be brought in.
He has been the first-choice right-back in Naples after following Maurizio Sarri from Empoli to Napoli in 2015, becoming the second most expensive Albanian player.
Although Sarri left last summer, he stayed on under Carlo Ancelotti and has now made 173 appearances for the club.
He may be yet to score but would offer another option at full-back for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who said he wanted his transfer dealings done and dusted by July 1.
And he recently revealed he is ready for a new challenge, suggesting he is ready to leave Napoli.
I’m not the type of person who likes to stay at a club for too long. For me, my time at Napoli is over and I hope to find a team that will give me what I need.
Elseid Hysaj
He told DigitAlb: "I’m absolutely ready for a new challenge because I need change.
"I’m not the type of person who likes to stay at a club for too long.
"I want to have new experiences, learn about a new country, meet new people, play for another team and maybe try to win something.
"For me, my time at Napoli is over and I hope to find a team that will give me what I need."
The links with Hysaj, therefore, may suggest United are losing hope of signing Crystal Palace's Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
As revealed by SunSport, the Old Trafford club have been told to pay £45million plus bonuses after a 'derogatory' opening bid of £35m plus £15m in add-ons.
Although the defender - who scored a last-gasp own goal for England Under-21s last night - is keen on the move, there is still plenty of negotiating needed before any contracts are signed.
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But while the potential signing of Hysaj would offer competition for Diogo Dalot and the ageing Young, Atletico may also fancy their chances.
Diego Simeone's regular right-backs last season were Juanfran - who turned 34 in January - and Santiago Arias but he may now be looking for a fresh face in his back line.
The report also suggests that if Napoli do sell Hysaj, then that could pave the way for the Italians to go in for Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier.