Conventional wisdom holds that Manchester United will be buying four new player this summer transfer window- a defender, striker, holding midfielder and a winger. On the striker front- it appears to be Alvaro Morata (here’s a link to the latest on that). In the back line, Victor Lindelof seems to be the guy and he might be the first transaction completed (here’s a link to the latest on that).
Regarding a holding midfielder, the idea here is that Jose Mourinho would be able to find a guy who could get the very best Paul Pogba return on investment. The club extended Michael Carrick another year, but this summer they’re reportedly seeking a long term anchor. Perhaps it could be Nemanja Matic.
Via the Manchester Evening News:
Jose Mourinho has ruled out a move for Fabinho this summer.
The Manchester United manager has identified holding midfield as a key area in need of address, with Nemanja Matic and Eric Dier two of the players earmarked to fulfil the role.
But it is understood he will not pursue a deal for Fabinho, who has emerged as one of the most sought-after players in Europe.
So while Fabinho is reportedly out of the running, acquiring the other pose a problem, and it’s the same exact problem. Will a rival big club in England sell to another? Tottenham’s Dier wouldn’t come cheap either. According to the CIES Football Observatory Study released this week, Dier is the tenth most valuable player in England.
With Matic, you get a reunion with Mourinho, and a chance for the Portugese to do more of what he likes to do with shapes and tactics, as he’s got another player he’s very familiar with. Would Chelsea want to sell though? Perhaps if they already have a replacement lined up.
A lot could happen as we have a very long silly season to go.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes to WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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