Manchester United 'join race for Hoffenheim's David Raum'

Manchester United have allegedly joined the race to sign Hoffenheim and Germany left-back David Raum in the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old learned his trade at Greuther Furth before joining Hoffenheim on a free transfer last summer, and his debut season at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena was a successful affair.

Raum immediately established himself as a starter and ended the season with 35 appearances to his name, scoring three goals and providing 13 assists in Bundesliga action.

Only Thomas Muller (18) set up more goals in the German top flight than Raum last term, and he is unsurprisingly being linked with an exit after just one year at Hoffenheim.

The German club are in a strong position to negotiate, though, as Raum - who can also operate higher up the pitch or on the right-hand side - is under contract until 2026.

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Manchester City have been linked with a move for the nine-cap Germany international, but Sky Deutschland reports that Manchester United are also keeping a close eye on the situation.

Erik ten Hag is preparing to start his first full season in charge with Luke Shaw and Alex Telles as his left-back options, but the latter in particular failed to convince in the 2021-22 campaign.

There have been suggestions that Telles could be offloaded in the coming weeks, but the 20-time English champions have a fight on their hands if they are to secure Raum's services.

The report adds that Borussia Dortmund are also regarded as contenders for Raum's signature, but the Westfalenstadion outfit must sell before they can buy.

West Ham United and Newcastle United supposedly make up the Premier League interest alongside Man United, and Raum will likely demand a €40m (£34.3m) price-tag after only penning an extension at Hoffenheim in January.

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Raum earned a move to Hoffenheim in 2021 after helping Greuther Furth get promoted with 15 2. Bundesliga assists, but the left-back area is not thought to be a priority for Man United.

Ten Hag is expected to shore up his central defence, midfield and attacking options before the new season, although a move for Ajax's Jurrien Timber is now thought to be off the cards.

The Red Devils are reportedly confident that Barcelona will lower their asking price for Frenkie de Jong, who has so far commanded an €85m (£73m) price tag to leave Camp Nou.

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to remain at Old Trafford for at least one more season, but Anthony Martial could follow Edinson Cavani out of the exit door to further deplete Ten Hag's forward line.

Having lost out on the signature of Darwin Nunez to Liverpool, wantaway Bayern Munich attacker Robert Lewandowski has seemingly become the Red Devils' priority attacking target.