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Man Utd line up surprise Aaron Wan-Bissaka alternative as negotiations continue
MANCHESTER UNITED have identified Danish right-back Joakim Maehle as a potential alternative to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Man United urged to not sign Aaron Wan-Bissaka by pundit
That is according to reports from the player’s homeland.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to recruit a long-term successor to Ashley Young, who has one year left on his contract.
Wan-Bissaka is the priority but Crystal Palace are demanding a fee in excess of £50million for the 21-year-old.
United have already had a £40m bid turned down by the Eagles, and talks are not progressing at a quick pace.
As a result, Old Trafford chiefs have drawn up alternative options and Danish newspaper B.T. claim Maehle is one of them.
The Genk defender played every league game last season, scoring two goals and assisting five as his side won the Jupiler Pro League - Belgium’s top-flight.
At 22, Maehle has similar levels of longevity in the tank to Wan-Bissaka and has made 108 senior appearances to the England U21 international’s 46.
It would be a far cheaper option for executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who signs off deals, but Maehle is a contingency plan for now.
We will not sell Joakim Maehle in this transfer window at all.
Although United are interested, the report states they have not yet made any contact over the full-back, who scored twice for Denmark in their 3-1 win over Austria at the U21 Euros on Thursday.
Genk CEO Erik Gerits added: "Manchester United has not appeared in connection with Joakim Maehle.
“And we will not sell Joakim Maehle in this transfer window at all. He stays with us.”
Southampton reportedly bid £12m for Maehle in the January transfer window but Genk rejected the offer.
Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are also understood to be monitoring Maehle’s situation.