Man Utd ready to sanction surprise midfield transfer if simple Ten Hag request is met

Man Utd are willing to sign Bayern Munich loanee Marcel Sabitzer outright if the Austria international fulfils one simple request, per a report.

The Red Devils’ primary focus over the summer will be landing a world class centre-forward. The Telegraph recently listed Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen as the primary targets Erik ten Hag will choose between.

However, neither will be easy to sign and three further ‘fall-back’ options were named. Among them includes a former Chelsea frontman who Ten Hag secretly harbours ‘serious concerns’ over.

Elsewhere, an expected new deal for David de Gea will remove the need to sign a high profile goalkeeper. A new right-back could be targeted, though Aaron Wan-Bissaka has proven his worth in Diogo Dalot’s injury absences since the World Cup.

Midfield isn’t an area of immediate concern following the twin arrivals of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. However, the latter’s ankle injury sustained in the FA Cup clash with Reading prompted a deadline day move for Marcel Sabitzer.

The Austria international, 28, arrived on a six-month loan and his deal does not contain an option or obligation to buy.

But ESPN report the creative midfielder – who could be viewed as a high class back-up to Eriksen – is expected to leave Bayern in the summer.

Sabitzer had already lost his place in Julian Nagelsmann’s engine room to Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka. Bayern have already wrapped up a summer switch for RB Leipzig’s Konrad Laimer too, meaning Sabizter will tumble even further down the pecking order.

The end result will see Bayern entertain offers and per the report, Sabitzer may in fact be signed outright by Man Utd.

How Sabitzer can earn Man Utd move 

To make the deal a reality, it’s claimed all Sabitzer has to do is impress during his initial loan spell. If he does just that – and he’ll be given ample opportunity given Eriksen’s three-month lay-off – a permanent move could be sanctioned.

That scenario would represent a remarkable turn of events for Sabitzer who barring Eriksen’s injury, would not have been signed in the first place. The Dane’s misfortune may well wind up working in Sabitzer’s favour beyond the current campaign.

United are understood to have ‘already told’ Sabitzer a permanent move to Manchester is his if he earns it.

Ten Hag is deemed ‘hopeful’ dangling that carrot will result in high level performances from Sabitzer between now and the end of the season. Though per the report, it’s not just a motivational tactic and an outright switch can be earned.

The same is true of Wout Weghorst who also arrived on a six-month loan without an option or obligation to buy.

However, the Burnley frontman is already behind the 8-ball after scoring just once in his first seven matches for the Red Devils.

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