Brighton’s Lewis Dunk will be looking at a summer transfer to one of England’s biggest clubs according to former Premier League midfielder Paul Stewart.
What has Paul Stewart said about Lewis Dunk?
In an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT, Stewart has suggested that Brighton will do very well to keep hold of Dunk ahead of the summer transfer window and said he expects England's biggest clubs to be circling.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes to a big club during the summer. Brighton are never going to get away from that," said Stewart. "Dunk will be looking I’m sure to one of the top-six clubs and hope that they will come in."
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Whilst Manchester United have been much improved this season, Stewart proposed that Dunk could offer more maturity at the back for the Red Devils alongside Harry Maguire.
Stewart said, "I don’t think Man United are really sure about their back four and I know they’ve spent a lot of money on the lad from Leicester, but they still leak goals don’t they.
He added, "They scored six [against Roma in the Europa League], but they were 2-1 down or something which is sort of a Spurs mentality. They think they can score more goals, but to actually go on and win Premierships, you can’t afford to do that.”
Is Lewis Dunk ready to join a top club?
After multiple seasons of being at the heart of Brighton's defence, if Dunk - who Transfermarkt value at £22.5m - has ever been ready to make the step up, it's surely now.
The defender is 29 years old and his chances of getting that big move will reduce as the years tick by. It seems like now or never for Dunk, who was reportedly on the list of targets to replace Maguire at Leicester, according to the Athletic.
Almost two years on from then he remains at Brighton, despite statistically proving he is ready for the step up.
Based on WhoScored statistics, Dunk favourably compares to the likes of Man United's Victor Lindelof and Arsenal's Gabriel.
Not only does Dunk offer a genuine goalscoring threat as the second highest scoring centre-back in the division, but his overall WhoScored rating this season of 6.85 dwarfs Lindelof and Gabriel's - which are 6.71 and 6.68 respectively.
Even in comparison to the number one choice defender at United in Maguire, Dunk has been dribbled past less per game at 0.2 compared to 0.3, and has also committed less fouls than the Red Devils captain with just 0.7 fouls committed per game in comparison to 1.1 for the England international.
*All stats correct prior to this weekend's Premier League action
Which top club would Dunk suit?
Stewart name-dropped Manchester United and it's hard to disagree with that. Whilst Maguire has improved statistically this season compared to last, United could look to improve on his defensive partners this summer and have already been linked with Raphael Varane.
Dunk's leadership qualities have been key for Brighton and Graham Potter this season and his mentality would be a strong addition to the defence alongside another natural leader in Maguire, the current United captain.
The Gunners could do with an experienced centre-half that would add some seniority to a largely youthful backline. The likes of Rob Holding and Gabriel have been mainstays at the back but struggled for consistency this season, with very few years of experience between them.
Unless handed an extension at the end of the season, David Luiz's contract is set to expire this summer and Fabrizio Romano has suggested the club could look to sign a replacement centre-back. Perhaps Dunk is the solution to that transfer conundrum in north London.