Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Nigeria defender Calvin Bassey as the club works out how to fix a poor start to the season, Footy-Africa can exclusively confirm.
The Fulham man has caught the eye of the United hierarchy. They are said to be looking again at their defensive options ahead of what is expected to be a big rebuild in 2027, and Bassey is one of the names on the list.
Transfermarkt values him at €28 million, and it is not hard to see why he is being talked about. Bassey has been one of the standout defenders in the Premier League this season, and he has done it for a Fulham side that has struggled as a team.
He has been among their most consistent players, and he has worn the captain’s armband under manager Alvaro Arbeloa, which says a lot about how central he is to the plans there.
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The other thing in his favour is that he is Premier League proven which puts him in a positive light within the club’s management. For a club like United, a defender who already knows the league and does not need a year to settle is a real plus, and Bassey can play in more than one position at the back.
United are not the only club looking. Inter Milan are also rumoured to be interested in the player, who turns 27 later this year.
Fulham hold an option to extend his contract by a further year and would rather sign him to fresh terms, but that has not stopped rival clubs from stepping up their checks on him.
A confidant of the player, who works with the Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles, says he has spoken to Bassey about the speculation. The defender, he says, would neither confirm nor deny the reports.
“The interest in Bassey has been there since last season, when in my opinion he became one of the best defenders in the Premier League,” he said. “He is big, strong, very physical and has leadership attributes, which has seen him lead Fulham this season wearing the armband.”
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“It is no surprise Manchester United want to sign him, and they are not the only team. But when I spoke to him, he did not deny nor confirm the news.”
He believes the real movement will come later. “He has one year left on his deal and at 26, he is in his prime. I think a lot of talks will happen at the end of the season, but the player has decided not to confirm or deny it,” he added.
For now, then, it is interest and nothing more. But with a United rebuild looming and a Fulham captain playing this well, the story is unlikely to go quiet.
