As the January transfer window looms ever closer, the plots thicken, clubs weigh their options and assess their funds to try and facilitate improvements to the squad in the upcoming window. Jose Mourinho and Manchester United look to do just that as the reports around a possible swoop for highly-rated Austrian defender Aleksandar Dragovic intensify.
United have closely been monitoring the progress of the 25-year-old Austrian since the last couple of seasons, with Louis van Gaal coming close to signing the player as a replacement for the number of injuries sustained during his final season at the club.
Dragovic joined Kiev from Basel in the summer of 2013 and spent three season’s at Dynamo Kiev and was keen on a move out of Ukraine with reports claiming he would jump at the chance of a move to the Premier League, although he moved Germany earlier this year and plays for Bayer Leverkusen. Having made just two appearances since his move from Kiev, United manager Mourinho is keen on strengthening his back line with Dragovic supposedly one of his preferred options.
Dragovic was an ever-present source in the Kiev team but has struggled to find his place in the starting eleven in Germany as he learns to adapts to his new surroundings. With reports stemming out of Germany linked with a move away due to inconsistent playing time, settling in Germany might not be on the cards cause if Mourinho comes calling Dragovic has finally fulfilled his ambition of reaching the Premier League.
One could argue about the playing time at United, should he make the switch to Old Trafford, but Dragovic a hard tackling modern centre-back could spring a surprise to a few in the Premier League with his large frame and adept reading of the game.
Unimpressed by Smalling and Shaw, Mourinho’s strategy in the window could be to strengthen his defence with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and David Alaba named as potential replacement options. However unlikely, Jose is not one to mess around and would be willing to trade players who are not up to the challenge away from the club, replacing them with new blood with an intention to play for him and the club with all their heart.
With a crucial week ahead of United in the Europa League and Premier League, Mourinho and his staff will need a serious look at the developments of potential future players during the window, if the next two games go awry for United.
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