Despite having quite a deep squad, especially at centre back, Alex Ferguson isn’t pleased with what he has at Manchester United behind Nemanja Vidic, and is looking to sign Italian central defender Angelo Ogbonna from Torino, who was also part of Italy’s squad to Euro 2012.
United have been watching the 24 year old since the beginning of the season and probably a while before, although this is his first year in the Serie A. He’s been with Torino since his youth academy days, getting to play for the senior club for the first time in 2007, before his 19th birthday. After spending a season on loan on a Serie C1 team, Ogbonna returned to Torino after their relegation to Serie B.
It took him about a season before grabbing a spot in the first team, but he’s been just that over the past three seasons. Despite playing in the second division, he won a call up to the national team in 2011, becoming the first Torino player to play for the Azzurri since 2007. He has since played four times for the national side, being a part of the Euro 2012 squad but not playing a single match this summer.
His price? £16 Million, minimum. The Manchester United interest has been confirmed by Torino’s sporting director Gianluca Petrachi, who said there are observers of many foreign clubs who follow our games, including United’s scouts.
Most of the time they come just to see Ogbonna because he is a player who has great potential. Last year we refused £10 million for him but it is clear he is worth more than £16 million. Angelo has the desire to do better but I believe he should continue to grow with Torino.
United’s centre back depth charts consists of Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, although Smalling and Jones have been injured this season, Evans isn’t Ferdinand’s favorite selection while Rio Ferdinand is far from his best days. So is Vidic, so far this year, still struggling to regain his pre-injury form.