Man United turn attention to £39m Dortmund left-back after Hall pursuit ends

Manchester United are keeping tabs on Borussia Dortmund left-back Daniel Svensson as the club begins planning for the January transfer window, having left the summer window without addressing a clear gap in their squad.

United entered the summer looking to add cover and competition for Luke Shaw, who remains the only natural left-back at the club. With Champions League football now on the fixture list, the demands on Shaw are expected to increase, making the position a priority when the window reopens in January.

According to German outlet Fussballdaten, United are one of four clubs closely monitoring Svensson’s progress at Dortmund. The 24-year-old Sweden international is in his second season at the club and has started every game this campaign, operating across multiple positions including left-back, centre-back, left midfield and right midfield. It is that versatility that is said to be attracting interest. Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus are also reported to be watching him. Dortmund value Svensson highly and are said to require a fee in the region of €35-40 million (£30-39m) before entering any transfer discussions.

United’s primary target in the final weeks of the summer window was Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, but the Magpies refused to sanction another departure after already losing Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. Hall has since played every minute of Newcastle’s opening four Premier League games and provided an assist in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth. Reports from the North East suggest he is also closing in on a new contract at St. James’ Park, which would further strengthen Newcastle’s negotiating position in any future talks.

United also held an interest in Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, but the 19-year-old was determined to remain at his boyhood club. Lewis-Skelly has started all four of Arsenal’s league games this season in a defensive midfield role.

With Shaw the sole specialist option in the position, United’s need for reinforcement at left-back heading into the new year appears clear.