Manchester United Pursue Bradley Locko in Left-Back Search

Manchester United’s search for a left-back is heading into the final stretch of the window, and a new name has stepped firmly into view: Bradley Locko.

With the deadline looming next week, United are working to bring in competition on the left side of defence. INEOS, now steering the club’s football operation, have looked at high-profile options, but cost is already shaping the strategy.

Fabrizio Romano revealed that United held talks over Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, but the numbers quickly turned that idea into a non-starter. Transfer fee too high. Salary too high. For now, out of reach.

“Manchester United… could be busy in these final four or five days of the window,” Romano said on his YouTube channel, stressing that the club are “still looking for a solution at left-back” and are actively “working to add a new left-back.”

The brief is clear: reliability over stardust.

Romano compared the type of deal United are exploring to the loan signing of Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham, a short-term fix that brought in an experienced, internationally recognised full-back to plug a gap and raise standards in training. Not necessarily that exact profile again, but that sort of pragmatic move rather than a marquee signing.

“Left-back is expected to be an area Utd want to improve before the deadline,” he added. “I expect them to sign there.”

That is where Bradley Locko comes in.

The Brest defender has emerged as one of the names under consideration, and crucially, he is ready to make the move. Journalist Dylan McBennett reported on X that the 24-year-old Frenchman would be open to joining United before the window closes.

“If United are looking for ‘solutions’ at left-back, Bradley Locko among names that would be open to joining the club before the transfer deadline,” McBennett posted at 8:59am on August 28, adding that Locko is “among numerous left-backs with desire to join United this summer. #MUFC”

Locko has been with Brest since 2023 and is tied down until the summer of 2027, so any deal would require the Ligue 1 club’s agreement. He is not a headline-grabber, but he is established: 67 appearances in all competitions for Brest and five assists from left-back.

For United, that profile fits the current reality. A player with top-flight experience, room to grow, and a contract situation that might still be workable in the final days of the window.

The clock is ticking. The need at left-back is obvious. Now the question is whether Bradley Locko becomes the latest name to walk through the doors at Old Trafford in a window that still feels one decisive move short.