Ricardo Rodriguez to Manchester United: Real Madrid join race for Wolfsburg ace

The 23-year-old left-back had made 113 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit

Ricardo Rodriguez (Getty)

Manchester United are reportedly locked in a transfer tussle with Real Madrid in a deal to sign Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez in the summer.

The 23-year-old left-back has made 113 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit while also becoming a prominent part of the Switzerland national team. Rodriguez is one of Europe’s hottest properties since joining Wolfsburg from Zurich in 2012.

German newspaper Sport Bild claim Madrid have entered the race to sign the United target and would be willing to part with up to £23m. It is believed Rodriguez’s release clause happens to be in that region too with Louis van Gaal, the Red Devils manager, looking for defensive cover.

Luke Shaw suffered a horror leg-break in the Champions League earlier in the season meaning United have been stretched at full-back ever since. A late bid to sign Mathieu Debuchy on loan from Arsenal failed in January after Arsene Wenger intervened.

The Frenchman, who eventually joined Bordeaux until the end of the season, revealed this week how he felt frustrated at the Gunners boss for blocking a potential switch to Old Trafford.

Debuchy told Canal+: “I was disappointed, obviously. If I had the chance to go to Manchester United it would have been magnificent.

“Unfortunately it wasn't the case. I discussed it with the coach too, who said that obviously he couldn't help out a rival. Yes, I'm a little bit annoyed with him. It's his choice. I had a good pre-season.

“He said that I would have game time and that we would discuss it in December. Unfortunately, I didn't have this game time.”