Man Utd mesmerised by £52m left-back likened to Cancelo; His club could be forced to sell | OneFootball

Manchester United have reportedly joined the race for young Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown.

The Red Devils will be primarily focused on revamping their midfield next summer, but they’re also expected to address other departments, including the left-back role.

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Luke Shaw has been the club’s ultimate first choice on the left side of the defence, but his age and injury history mean the management must tread carefully on this front and avoid over-relying on his services. Patrick Dorgu has looked more comfortable when playing further up the field, while Tyrell Malacia will leave once his contract expires in June.

Man United courting Eintracht Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown

Man Utd’s current left-back situation will prompt the club to search for reinforcement, and the Head of Recruitment, Christopher Vivell, could once again turn to his native Germany for a solution.

According to Bild (via Sport Witness), Man Utd are one of several top European clubs tracking Nathaniel Brown.

The 22-year-old is a German international who also holds an American passport. He began his career at Nuremberg before signing for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2024. Since then, his career has been on an upward trajectory, and he is currently considered one of the best rising stars in the Bundesliga.

Brown is originally a left-back, who has often been deployed as a left wing-back this season. He has also been compared to Barcelona star Cancelo for his well-rounded game, as well as his ability to play on either flank, and even cutting to the midfield when required.

Why signing Brown won’t be easy for Man Utd

While Man Utd have reportedly been enticed by the German’s profile, signing him could be a daunting task due to the strong competition, as the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City have all been linked with the player.

Moreover, Frankfurt are reportedly requesting €60 million (circa £52m) to part ways with Brown. Nevertheless, the source believes that the German club could be forced to sell some of its most prized assets in the summer to balance the books, especially if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Therefore, it remains to be seen if they’d be willing to lower their asking price, as the left-back’s suitors might be reluctant to pay such a hefty amount, despite his undoubted promise.