Man Utd have to beat Leicester to Nantes keeper Lafont
Robin Bairner
- 13 Aug 2022 10:14 BST
- 3 min read
Manchester United’s hunt for a new goalkeeper should lead them to exploring the possibility of Nantes shot-stopper Alban Lafont, who has been linked with a summer transfer to Leicester.
Man Utd want a second-choice option to David de Gea after loaning Dean Henderson to Aston Villa and there can be few better up-and-coming keepers in world football than the 23-year-old Lafont.
The Red Devils are said to see Leeds’ Illan Meslier as their ideal long-term replacement for De Gea, but Lafont looks a stronger bet.
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However, Leicester are already said to be interested in making Lafont their replacement for Kasper Schmeichel, who ended his long association with the club this summer by moving to Nice.
Lafont’s early season form shows why he should be considered such a precious commodity. On the opening day of the season, the goalkeeper made a string of outstanding saves to keep a cleansheet against Angers.
Un clean sheet et une prestation de grande qualité pour @AlbanLafont 🧤 #SCOFCN pic.twitter.com/fSdc5sHzGu
— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) August 8, 2022
This was followed up by another wonderful display of shot-stopping in a 1-1 draw against Lille on Friday.
These performances are far from standalone for Lafont, who previously caught the eye last season by securing a historic 10/10 rating from L’Equipe thanks to a blistering display against PSG, which included saving a Neymar penalty.
📺 𝗜𝗖𝗬𝗠𝗜: Watch @AlbanLafont's brilliant performance for @FCNantes against PSG! ⛔ pic.twitter.com/wPSVjUuxaB
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) February 23, 2022
And with over 200 appearances in Ligue 1 and Serie A, he boasts incredible experience for one so young.
His asking price may be as low as €20 million – not bad for a player with so much potential.
Why Lafont will be hard for Man Utd to land
One of the drawbacks with Lafont from Manchester United’s perspective, though, is that he will be aiming to go to World Cup 2022. That means getting first-team football, which will not be possible at Old Trafford.
There are areas to his game that need polished up, too. His command from crosses needs to become better, physically he could do with being stronger and at times his decision making needs to be sharper.
Nevertheless, for the price he is a bargain, particularly considering he has years of improvement ahead of him.
Leicester hold the advantage, but Man Utd should be taking a look.
