Man United ‘to target’ David Affengruber in €30m deal amid January links

Manchester United have been linked with Elche centre-back David Affengruber for January, a relatively little-known name until this season.

The 24-year-old is in his first campaign in a big five league after moving to Elche for 2024/25. He spent a year in Spain’s second tier, then helped secure promotion in the summer and has impressed in La Liga.

Affengruber is strong in the air and decisive in duels, with reliable positioning, and he copes with high balls despite standing around six foot one. His style has drawn comparisons with Matthijs de Ligt.

On the ball he is middle of the pack as a passer and not especially progressive, with limited resistance to a high press. He may not suit a high line or a team intent on building from the back. He has yet to win a senior cap for Austria, though he did feature at under-21 level.

Recent coverage has centred on TeamTalk, while Fichajes first floated the link in October. The story has not been corroborated by the most reliable United-focused outlets, and defensive reinforcements are not Ruben Amorim’s most pressing concern.

TeamTalk reports a price of around €30m, roughly £26.2m, which could fit within United’s restricted budget under profit and sustainability rules, whereas rumoured moves for Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton likely would not. Affengruber could bolster depth, but he feels more like a long-term watch than an urgent buy.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk