West Ham United reportedly expect to sign Kevin Malcuit – but Manchester United will scout him anyway.
Kevin Malcuit
According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United will scout Saint-Etienne full back Kevin Malcuit as they consider rivalling West Ham United for his signature.
The Red Devils coasted past Saint-Etienne in their Europa League last 32 clash earlier this month, picking up a 4-0 aggregate win.
In truth, the French outfit weren’t much competition for United, but it seems that one Saint-Etienne player caught the eye of United boss Jose Mourinho.
The Manchester Evening News report that Mourinho was impressed by right back Kevin Malcuit, and will now send scouts to keep tabs on the defender for the rest of the season.
Malcuit, 25, joined Saint-Etienne from Chamois Niortais in the summer of 2015, and has become the club’s first-choice right back, making 27 appearances in all competitions this term, notching four assists.
The right back’s appearances are now attracting interest, and Mourinho may well view the pacey defender as cover and competition for Antonio Valencia, with Matteo Darmian seemingly not in his immediate plans.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford in action with St Etienne’s Kevin Malcuit
However, Sky Sports report that Premier League rivals West Ham United expect to sign Malcuit this summer, with manager Slaven Bilic desperate to sign a right back.
The Sun recently claimed that the Hammers had bids of £7million and £8.5million rejected for Malcuit in January, and were set to return with a £10million offer in the summer.
That would tie in with Sky’s new report that West Ham expect to land Malcuit at the end of the season, adding a dependable and attack-minded right back given problems with Alvaro Arbeloa and Sam Byram this season.
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