Erik ten Hag may be on the verge of joining forces with Jurgen Klopp at RB Leipzig, which could spell trouble for Manchester United’s pursuit of German international left-back David Raum.
United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, has prioritized signing a left-sided defender to strengthen his squad.
Raum, a versatile full-back or wing-back, fits the profile perfectly.
However, growing pressure on current RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose has led to speculation that the club is considering Ten Hag as a replacement.
Should Ten Hag take the helm at Leipzig, he would likely play a key role in transfer decisions and could block Raum’s move to Old Trafford – particularly to the club that dismissed him in October.
Leipzig recently ended a five-match winless streak across the Bundesliga and Champions League with a German Cup victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, Tuesday’s clash with Aston Villa in the Champions League is viewed as a pivotal game for Rose’s future.
Meanwhile, United’s defensive concerns have deepened following news that Luke Shaw is facing another lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.
The 29-year-old has struggled with fitness over the past year, raising doubts about his ability to regain the form that once established him as one of the world’s best full-backs.
Amorim, now grappling with the same challenges that plagued Ten Hag, has limited options at left-back.
Tyrell Malacia has only recently returned after over a year out, while Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have been deployed as makeshift solutions.
David Raum could provide a long-term solution.
Valued at around £35 million, the RB Leipzig defender is under contract until 2027.
While Amorim is keen to secure a permanent transfer, United’s preference is for a loan deal with an option to buy in the January transfer window.
Raum began his career at Greuther Fürth, moved to Hoffenheim, and joined Leipzig for £25million in the summer of 2022.
However, if Ten Hag replaces Rose, the Dutchman’s influence could complicate United’s negotiations.
Ten Hag’s potential move to Leipzig comes with an ironic twist: it could result in a refund of the £10million compensation package United paid when parting ways with him.
Leipzig had previously courted Ten Hag before his move to Old Trafford, but United’s offer proved irresistible at the time.
Fluent in German and experienced from his stint as Bayern Munich’s reserve team coach, Ten Hag would seamlessly transition into Leipzig’s setup.
His partnership with Klopp, who joined the Red Bull group after leaving Liverpool, adds an intriguing layer to the story.
Klopp, who spent eight successful years at Anfield, shocked the football world when he joined the Red Bull network shortly after leaving Liverpool.
He cited burnout and a need for a break but has since returned in an advisory and development role.
If Ten Hag teams up with Klopp at Leipzig, the reunion would rekindle a rivalry that saw its most dramatic moment in March 2023, when Klopp’s Liverpool handed Ten Hag’s United a 7-0 thrashing at Anfield.
For now, United’s hopes of securing Raum remain precarious as Leipzig’s managerial situation unfolds.
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