Manchester United have been linked with a move for Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Daichi Kamada, making Erik ten Hag's plans clear ahead of the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old Japan international is enjoying another superb season with the Bundesliga side after helping Eintracht win the Europa League last year. But Kamada is out of contract this summer, prompting interest from across the continent.
German giants Borussia Dortmund are believed to be in pole position after reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with the versatile playmaker, who's also been labelled a target for Chelsea and Liverpool. That hasn't deterred Ten Hag's interest, though, as the Daily Mail report that United, who also want to sign a new striker, are attempting to change his mind.
Their interest in Kamada, who against the odds helped Japan reach the World Cup knockout stages and has racked up 18 goal contributions for his club this term, not only represents Ten Hag's desire to add to his squad when the market opens in June, but to improve in a particular area. Although he's capable of operating in numerous forward roles, Kamada is primarily a central midfielder.
A key component of manager Oliver Glasner's well-oiled system in Frankfurt, the Japanese ace would offer United a different dimension and creativity from midfield. That's seemingly an area which Ten Hag is keen to bolster, despite signing Casemiro and Christian Eriksen last summer as well as recruiting Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich in January.
Fellow midfielders Frenkie de Jong, Jude Bellingham and Martin Zubimendi have all been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, further highlighting Ten Hag's plans. While De Jong and Zubimendi - who play for Barcelona and Real Sociedad respectively - prefer to operate in a deeper role, Kamada's profile is more akin to Bellingham's, who he could soon be replacing at Dortmund.
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The English sensation is expected to leave the Signal Iduna Park over the next few months, with United among the potential suitors. While Bellingham still has two more seasons left on his deal, Kamada is almost certain to find a new employer at the end of this campaign after claiming to have held talks with "big clubs" over the past couple of years.
In an interview with German publication Sport1 last November - shortly after scoring against Tottenham in a Champions League group-stage clash - he explained: "I am much more demanding than you might think when it comes to the clubs I would like to move to. There have already been talks and contacts with big clubs for two years now."
One thing's for sure, Ten Hag has got competition.
