Manchester United are looking to Spain again. And this time they have found themselves a proper gem.
David Affengruber. Remember that name. The Austrian centre-back is tearing it up at Elche in LaLiga, and Old Trafford scouts have been watching his every move for months.
According to reports, United have made the 24-year-old a priority target for summer 2026. Yes, you read that right - 2026. Ruben Amorim is thinking long-term here, and he believes he has found the perfect partner for Leny Yoro at the heart of his defence.
The new De Ligt
So who exactly is this bloke? Affengruber arrived at Elche from Austrian side Sturm Graz in 2024, and he has quickly established himself as one of the most impressive defenders in Spanish football.
The comparisons with a young Matthijs de Ligt have been flying around, and it is easy to see why. The Austrian is calm under pressure, dominant in the air, and has the ability to step into midfield with the ball at his feet. Exactly the profile Amorim wants in his back three.
Elche's sporting director Sergio Mantecon has called him the quiet leader of their defence. High praise for a player who only arrived 18 months ago and has helped the promoted club sit ninth in LaLiga after 15 games.
The price tag
Here is the good news for United fans - this one will not break the bank. Elche have slapped a 30 million euro price tag on their man, which works out at around 26 million pounds.
In a world where bang average centre-backs go for 60 or 70 million, that looks like decent value for a player being compared to one of the best young defenders of the last decade.
Affengruber is under contract until 2027 with an option for another year, but Elche have admitted they will struggle to keep him beyond next summer without a new deal. That gives United leverage in negotiations.
The competition
Of course, United are not the only ones sniffing around. When a player this good becomes available at this price, the vultures start circling.
Juventus are interested. The Old Lady sees Affengruber as the ideal fit for their three-man defence. Atletico Madrid have been tracking him for a while and reckon he would thrive under Diego Simeone's intense coaching. Sevilla have also registered their interest.
So Amorim will need to move quickly if he wants to get this one over the line. The good news is that United's scouting reports have been glowing. The homework has been done.
Why this makes sense
United's defence has been a problem for years. Harry Maguire divides opinion. Lisandro Martinez is quality but injury-prone. Matthijs de Ligt himself has not quite hit the heights expected since arriving from Bayern Munich.
Leny Yoro is the future, everyone agrees on that. But he needs a reliable partner alongside him for the next decade. Affengruber, at 24, fits that profile perfectly.
Amorim plays a back three, which means he needs more quality centre-backs than most managers. Having Yoro and Affengruber as the long-term spine of that defence makes a lot of sense.
The waiting game
The fact that United are targeting summer 2026 rather than January tells you something about the club's new approach. This is not panic buying. This is strategic planning.
Amorim wants players who fit his system, not just big names to stick on the back of shirts. Affengruber might not have the profile of a Sergio Ramos or a Virgil van Dijk, but he has the talent to become a top-level Premier League defender.
At 26 million pounds, this could be one of the smartest signings United have made in years. If they can beat the Italians and the Spanish to his signature, that is.
Watch this space.
