Manchester United are reported to be monitoring the proceedings of Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam, who has returned to training earlier this week after a couple of knee injuries.
The Algeria international had attracted plenty of attention during the early stages of the season before he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligaments in a Champions League game against Manchester City in November.
The 27-year-old had therein been on track to make a comeback in early February, but he unfortunately suffered a freak accident in training whereby he fractured his knee cap.
According to Il Mattino h/t Football Italia, Ghoulam has returned to training once more with the Naples outfit, and United are said to be considering a summer approach for his signature.
Ghoulam extended his contract with Napoli until June 2022 during the first-half of the season, but the left-back still remains affordable for clubs outside Italy, with his deal supposedly carrying a €35m(£31m) release clause.
Earlier in February, Luke Shaw had been considered as the potential successor to Ashley Young after the England international had his contract extended until 2019 amid praise from Jose Mourinho.
However, things have since changed upside down, with Shaw coming for public criticism from the manager last weekend, and it now appears that United are likely to pursue a new left-sided defender.
Ghoulam has certainly developed his game with Napoli, where his crossing abilities, in particular, have come for praise, and he could potentially be a good addition at a reasonable cost unlike other targets.
I prefer him to Danny Rose but after two knee injuries it’s a risk.