Manchester United planning to land one of the most promising defenders in Europe

After struggling to hit the ground running in the Premier League, Manchester United are planning a £30million bid for Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, according to the Sun.

Incidentally Spanish giants Real Madrid has also been in the race of signing Rodriguez, who has developed a reputation as one of Europe’s best full-backs, but it has been reported that the Old Trafford club are hell bent on strengthening their defence by singing up a man who helped Wolfsburg knock the Red Devils out of the Champions League this season.

Rodriguez is contracted at Wolfsburg until 2019 but a bid of £30m is thought to be enough to lure him from the Bundesliga outfit. Also the defender has dismissed reports that Madrid have come calling for him, leaving the path clear for United to sign him. “I’ve not heard from Real. I don’t know if there’s anything in it. Even my manager has said nothing to me, so there is nothing new," he said.

United boss Louis van Gaal is facing a defensive injury crisis with Phil Jones (foot), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Antonio Valencia (foot) and long term absentee Luke Shaw (leg) all sidelined.