Manchester United and Manchester City could become engaged in a direct transfer battle this summer after they both identified West Ham United’s Angelo Ogbonna as a potential solution to their defensive problems.
With both clubs seeking to sign at least one centre back and possibly more at the end of the season, Ogbonna’s recent impressive performances have caught their eye, particularly given the experience the Italian has gained in the Barclays Premier League.
United’s defensive resources are particularly threadbare, with Louis van Gaal forced to use Michael Carrick and Daley Blind as emergency centre backs in recent weeks.
Ogbonna initially struggled at West Ham following his £8 million move from Juventus last summer, but has been a virtual ever-present since November as Slaven Bilic’s side have climbed up to sixth in the Premier League and reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, where they will meet United.
Bilic was initially unimpressed by Ogbonna, and hauled him off after just 35 minutes of a 4-3 home defeat to Bournemouth in August, but now views him as a key man and West Ham would be extremely reluctant to sell.
Ogbonna’s pace and physicality has impressed both United and City, while his versatility would be particularly valuable at Old Trafford, as he can also play at left back.
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United’s interest in Ogbonna is longstanding and they came close to signing him in 2012 before baulking at Torino’s £16m asking price and he joined Juventus a year later for £10m.
The 27-year-old was an unused substitute when Juventus reached the Champions League final last season and has been capped ten times by Italy.