Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer targets competition for Luke Shaw from Portugal
The Reds are eager to finish their summer business early, by the looks of it.
Despite contrasting reports emerging from English and German media, Manchester United have taken prominent steps towards the completion of the Jadon Sancho deal. In the current financial market, pulling off a transfer of this magnitude will prove to be a major coup for the Old Trafford club.
Given the lofty ambitions of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United hierarchy would have to pull off a few more deals in the market to bridge the significant gap between themselves and domestic pacesetters, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Notwithstanding the financial muscle, United have not been insulated to the current economic climate – where even the gigantic revenue models have incurred significant losses due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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In this situation, Man United, themselves, are planning transfer business in a sustainable blueprint to pare their losses, paving the way for a selling spree and low budget purchases. Citing this, the Red Devils have chalked out a few low-scale transfer targets.
Recently, Ed Woodward has proposed and offer for Gabriel Magalhaes, in-demand centre-back from Lille OSC. Now, the period of anxious wait begins as the Brazilan defender weighs up his future options. The 22-year-old is valued at around €30 million by his parent club.
Solskjaer – who spent above €130m on two defensive signings last summer – is keen to reinforce his backline options further, with focus lying on the left side, this time. The Norwegian’s stance is justified as Luke Shaw‘s persistent injury problems and Brandon Williams’ inexperience often leaves them weak.
Adding to a left-footed central defender, a full-back in that region, too, has turned out to be an area which needs reinforcement. Reports emerging from Portugal have suggested a target being identified in FC Porto’s Alex Telles.
"Manchester United are said to be more confident about spending in Portugal following the success of Bruno Fernandes’ transfer from Sporting back in January. (A Bola via Sport Witness)"
Related Story. First Jadon Sancho, then Jack Grealish for Man United. light
The 27-year-old wide defender has been linked with a move away from Portugal this summer, garnering links with a move to Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. However, no significant dialogues have taken place yet to materialise the transfer.
With previous instances of using a club to generate interest, Manchester United could be used in the rumour-mill to enhance the face value by Porto. This story needs a few more concrete reports to be considered a genuine move from United which, at the moment, looks like a preliminary inquiry.