Manchester United in picture to sign Elche star – €20m fee reasonable for Red Devils

Manchester United are one of the clubs chasing Elche CF’s David Affengruber for the summer. 

The Austria international joined the La Liga side on a free transfer in 2024, after a spell at Sturm Graz.

At that time, Elche were in the second division and the centre-back played a key role in helping them secure promotion. He played 40 matches in the Segunda División last season

The defender has continued to shine for Elche this season and this has caught Manchester United’s attention.

His La Liga stats this season are as follows:

• Appearances: 30
• Starts: 27
• Total minutes: 2,442
• Minutes per game: 82
• Interceptions per game: 1.4
• Tackles per game: 2.1
• Ball recovered per game: 4.4
• Clearances per game: 4.8
• Duels won per game: 5.0

Manchester United join La Liga sides

Several clubs in Spain and abroad are keeping a close watch on David Affengruber. That’s according to Mundo Deportivo, and Manchester United belong to the latter category.

Elche CF manager is fond of the 25-year-old and insists he has to represent Austria at the World Cup.

“If he doesn’t go to the World Cup, it will be one of the greatest injustices in football history,” he said.

“We were on the bench, we had the last substitution, and I could see he was tired. But I told him that he has fighting spirit and hunger. When football isn’t enough, there’s Affengruber. He inspires the team, especially when you have that beast in the back. It’s a team victory, but given their league-leading position, it was especially important.”

The newspaper then looks at Atlético Madrid’s interest in the defender. Earlier this week, he managed a goal and assist in his side’s 3-2 win over Los Rojiblancos.

He impressed Diego Simeone’s side, who could include him in their target list for the summer.

The Austrian has already proved himself in La Liga and has ‘great international potential’, making him attractive in the market.

Atlético aren’t the only club showing interest in him as Manchester United, Villarreal, Real Betis and Sevilla are also keen. These clubs are now closely monitoring the player.

Elche, for their part, value Affengruber around €20m. This should certainly be reasonable for the Premier League side.

Manchester United have other central defenders on their radar. Earlier this week, Sport Witness covered claims from Portugal of the Red Devils are keen on Sporting’s Gonçalo Inácio.

Contract, value and agent info

The player will have a year left on his contract after this season. Without a renewal, the summer window will be Elche’s last chance to earn a good fee from his sale.

David Affengruber’s value, as per Transfermarkt, is €9m, and 11Wins are managing him.