Man United nearing deal for Dynamo Kiev's Aleksandar Dragovic

Manchester United are nearing a deal for Dynamo Kiev centre-back Aleksandar Dragovic, according to various news outlets.

On Friday, rumors went into overdrive after The Guardian reported that United were considering making an offer of £13 million for the 23-year-old Austrian defender.

The speculation increased the following day when Austria’s Sport Net reported that United’s board had given the green light on the transfer, with only a veto from the Glazer family as the deal’s final hurdle. Laola and Kronen Zeitung (two large Austrian media outlets) also picked up the Dragovic to United story.

Arsenal, Liverpool and West Ham have reportedly sounded out the availability of the Austria international, who signed a five-year deal with Dynamo Kiev after joining the Ukrainian side from FC Basel in 2013.

Dynamo have already rejected an offer of around £10m from Zenit St Petersburg for the player, while AS Roma and Juventus have also been in talks with the Ukrainian club. However, it is understood that Dragovic favors a move to the Premier League.

Today, various British tabloids are speculating that a deal has been completed with United agreeing a transfer in the range of £13-15 million for the Austria international.

Manager Louis van Gaal has previously stated that he would not move to make a signing unless it improved his team selection. It is understood that United scouts have watched Dragovic this season and are favoring a move for the Dynamo Kiev player, since their pursuit of ‘larger’ transfer targets will likely be delayed until this summer.

Dragovic appears to click all the boxes in regards to a potential Van Gaal-signing. The Austrian centre-back is strong, young, tall (6’1″) and has international and European club football experience. Also, if the reports are factual, the defender has a desire to prove himself in one of Europe’s biggest leagues.

Social media has also had its say on the reported transfer.

Shortly after news broke on Friday, it was learned that the Dragovic began following United players Victor Valdes and Marcos Rojo on Instagram. The Dynamo Kiev defender had also previously started following Paris Saint-Germain forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, but the timing of his activity on social media was curious and was immediately pounced on by fans on various sites.

This morning it was revealed that 1860 Munchen striker Rubin Okotie (a teammate of Dragovic’s on the Austrian national team) posted a photo of himself on Instagram with the Dynamo Kiev centre-back following a friendly match between the two clubs yesterday.

Along with the photo, Okotie left Dragovic the message: “Wishing you all the best. I hope your transfer happens soon. You are one of the best centre-backs in Europe.”

With the transfer window closing in nine days, Manchester United fans can expect to hear more stories on Aleksandar Dragovic in the coming days – until the club officially confirms or denies the transfer rumors.