Minnesota United: Ligue 1 full-back directly addresses key need

Looking to shore up a defense that was among MLS’ worst last season, Minnesota United have looked to Ligue 1 and appear to be closing on right-back, Romain Metanire. The defender addresses a key need for the Loons and would be an astute addition.

Minnesota United appear to be close to signing Stade Reims right-back and Madagascar international Romain Metanire.

First reported by media outlets in France and later confirmed by the Athletic’s Jeff Rueter, the Loons have offered the experienced full-back a two-year contract.

Metanire began his career at his hometown club, FC Metz, where he made 161 league appearances in seven seasons with the club, mainly in France’s second tier. Metanire then had a short stint in Belgium with KV Kortrijk, before returning to his native France to join Ligue 2 side Stade Reims in 2017. Last season in Ligue 2, Mentanire was a key part of the club winning the league and earning promotion to Ligue 1, playing in 37 matches.

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This season, however, Metanire finds himself as the backup to Belgian international Thomas Foket, having appeared in just five of Reims’ 18 matches in Ligue 1 so far this season. For this reason, Reims have told Metanire that they will not stand in his way of a move to MLS. And it seems likely that he will accept the two-year deal on the table from the Loons.

Metanire would seemingly be a fantastic addition to Minnesota United, as the Loons only have Carter Manley and rookie SuperDraft pick Chase Gasper as their right-backs currently. It is extremely dangerous to rely on players with so little experience, and with full-back being a problem position last season, adding another body who has experience of a higher level of soccer can be no bad thing.

Just 28 years old, Metanire has the perfect balance of experience and quality, while still being relatively young, with a lot left in the tank. Metanire is reportedly making about $400k over in France, so assuming that the Loons offer him a raise, it’s likely that TAM will be used on the player, but unlikely that he would be a DP.

Entering the offseason, Minnesota needed to improve its defense. That started with addressing the protection from the midfield, acquiring DP Jan Gregus and Seattle Sounders captain Ozzie Alonso, and now extends to perhaps the most problematic position of last season, full-back. Metanire, assuming he can adapt to MLS play, should slot straight into the line-up and directly fix a major weakness of last season’s team. That is a good signing, if ever I’ve known one.

Will Metanire accept the Loons two-year offer? And can he help improve a struggling defense? We’ll find out in the coming days, but based on initial glimpses, Metanire is a signing that Minnesota United needed to make.