Man Utd sent Konrad Laimer demand as RB Leipzig issue ultimatum on Ralf Rangnick target

Manchester United have reportedly been told that they will have to pay Konrad Laimer's £34million release clause in order to prise him away from RB Leipzig.

The 24-year-old is said to have been recommended to the Red Devils by interim manager and future consultant Ralf Rangnick, who signed Laimer for Leipzig and will soon reunite with him as head coach of the Austrian national team. But Sport Bild, as relayed by transfermarkt, report that United will not be able to sign the box-to-box midfielder, who is regarded as one of the best in Germany, unless they stump up the cash required to trigger his exit.

Despite interest from fellow Bundesliga clubs Bayern Munich - said to be preparing a bid for Laimer - and Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig are digging their heels in with the hope of keeping their star beyond the summer transfer window, much like highly sought-after forward Christopher Nkunku.

The midfield dynamo, renowned for his stamina and pressing ability, was snapped up by Red Bull Salzburg in 2014 and then Leipzig three years later. At the time of both moves, Rangnick was working as the two club's shared sporting director and the acclaimed German coach remains a fan of Laimer to this day.

The Austrian recently revealed to Sport Bild how excited he was to work under Rangnick again at international level by declaring: "I am very happy that he will become our coach. know him well, know what he can do and I am sure that he can make us better as a team and each individual. I am confident that we have very successful years ahead of us and look forward to seeing him again as an OFB trainer in the summer at our next course."

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