Borussia Dortmund have reportedly identified Sergio Reguilon as a possible January acquisition amid suggestions that his loan spell at Manchester United could be cut short.
Injuries to Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw led to Man United signing Reguilon on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the in final stages of the summer transfer window.
The 26-year-old has featured on 10 occasions for the Red Devils this season, including seven outings in the Premier League, and he played the full 90 minutes against Bournemouth in the league last weekend.
Shaw has recently returned from a three-month absence, but the Englishman has been, at times, used in central defence due to injuries in that area of the field.
Reguilon was an unused substitute against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, but he is in contention to face Liverpool this weekend, as Harry Maguire's absence could mean that Shaw - fit after a hamstring scare - is needed in the middle alongside Raphael Varane.
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However, there is a break clause in Reguilon's deal, meaning that he could return to parent club Tottenham in January.
"For that we have to make a final decision but there is another club Spurs involved in it as well," Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag told reporters earlier this month.
Malacia is expected back in early 2024, which could potentially push Reguilon further down the pecking order, and Dortmund are said to be keeping a close eye on the situation.
According to Sky Deutschland, BVB want cover at left-back in January, as Ramy Bensebaini is set to represent Albania at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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The German side have also been linked with Real Madrid's Fran Garcia, but Reguilon is believed to be a more realistic target, with contact potentially being initiated over the next couple of weeks.
"The left-back position was a topic that we discussed in the summer, as we know that Ramy will not be available to us during the Africa Cup of Nations," Dortmund boss Edin Terzic told reporters on Friday when questioned on the left-back situation.
"We're having a few thoughts internally, but we're also thinking about bringing someone in from outside."
Reguilon started his professional career at Real Madrid before moving to Tottenham in 2020, and he has represented the London club on 67 occasions in all competitions.
The defender has a contract with Spurs until June 2025, but it is unclear whether he is in the plans of the capital team's head coach Ange Postecoglou moving forward.