Monaco star spills beans on failed £22m transfer bid from Man Utd

Benoit Badiashile Monaco

Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile has confirmed he was the subject of a transfer approach from Manchester United over the summer.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is on the hunt for a new defender to play alongside Harry Maguire. With a plethora of names linked, United were reported to have expressed an interest in France U21 defender Badiashile.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a fine campaign for Niko Kovac’s side as they have mounted a surprise bid for Ligue 1 glory. Badiashile has scored two goals in 25 appearances and has been a rock in the heart of their defence. 

Badiashile’s potential was spotted at a young age by Thierry Henry, who thrust the then 17-year-old into his Monaco side. He has progressed well since then, leading to rumours of interest from United last summer.

Now the defender has confirmed United saw a £22m bid fail – but he has no regrets at seeing the move fail to materialise.

He told RMC Sport: “It was the right choice, first off is I have not enjoyed good seasons since I have been at Monaco.

“We played to stay up and so now I am really experiencing the top of the table. I think that continuing with the club that formed me was the right decision. This is being proved by the season that we are having.”

Pressed further as to whether he has any regrets at missing out on a move, he replied: “No, not at all.”

Solskjaer is expected to make the signing of a new defender his top focus this summer. United recently snubbed the chance to sign Dayot Upamecano for a very specific reason.


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Scholes slams Victor Lindelof

Certainly United’s need for a new defender is seen by pundit Paul Scholes.

The former United midfielder even named and shamed Victor Lindelof as ‘timid’ and a reason for their failure to challenge for top trophies.

“I think that’s what’s stopping them from being a team that can challenge for the league, or possibly the Champions League, challenge for the top trophies, let’s say.

Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof Manchester United TEAMtalk

Picking out Lindelof in particular, Scholes added: “I think in the middle of defence, Lindelof especially, they lack authority.

“He can be bullied, sometimes he’s not strong enough. I think both [Lindelof and Harry Maguire] can be very timid. They don’t really command or bully centre-forwards, they don’t really demand from the rest of the team. I think these two positions in particular are massive for teams that are going to win the league.”

READ MORE: Man Utd urged to use Jesse Lingard as bait to sign £80m Chelsea midfield target