Man Utd join transfer race for Hoffenheim defender David Raum with Borussia Dortmund, West Ham and Newcastle interested

MANCHESTER United have joined the race to sign Hoffenheim defender David Raum, according to reports.

Raum, 24, plays left-back for his club and the German national team which he broke into last year.

Raum's strong form has generated interest from a number of clubs including Borussia Dortmund and Premier League duo West Ham United and Newcastle United.

However, according to , while Dortmund would like to make a transfer happen, they cannot move forward with a £26million deal until they sell with Niklas Sule and Nico Schlotterbeck already acquired in defence.

Raum stands at just below six feet tall but it is his offensive ability which make him out as a player of interest for the likes of Man United.

Raum contributed 13 assists in the Bundesliga from left-back last season, and completed the most crosses into the penalty box in Europe's top five leagues.

Raum also ranked 13th in the Bundesliga for passes blocked and in the top 10 for dribblers tackled.

As Erik ten Hag prepares to welcome the United squad back to pre-season training, the position of a number of players in the squad is under scrutiny including left-back.

Luke Shaw's alarming drop-off following Euro 2020 saw the Englishman replaced by his deputy Alex Telles in the second half of the season, though injury also played a major part in this.

Telles, however, didn't fare much better, and United's defence looked even shakier, resulting in the Red Devils' worst-ever defensive record, under Ralf Rangnick.

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United are trying to push ahead with deals for Christian Eriksen and Frenkie de Jong this window, and have also been linked with a transfer for Ajax duo Antony and Jurrien Timber.

All that is certain is that Ten Hag wants to revamp the United squad, and progress on deals needs to be made quickly.