With Jose Mourinho taking over the reins at Old Trafford, Manchester United are expected to bring in a couple of defenders this summer, and reports in Italy suggest the Premier League giants have already made their moves.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca di Marzio, the Red Devils have already approached AS Roma star Kostas Manolas’ representatives over the possibility of signing him in the summer, even before the Portuguese manager was appointed.
Gianluca di Marzio reckons the first contact was made a couple of weeks ago, but any deal for Manolas is likely to be very complicated due to a certain clause in his contract.
Manolas’ former club Olympiacos would receive 50% of the transfer fee if a deal is agreed before 1st of September, 2016.
Manolas has been a key part of Luciano Spalletti’s team, and the Serie A club wants at least €40m for the Greek international, but that won’t stop Manchester United from pursuing a deal, as they’re reportedly keen on satisfying their new boss Jose Mourinho.
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Gianluca di Marzio also suggests the possibility of Manchester United signing Manolas on a loan initially with an option to buy him later, which would be favourable for AS Roma, as they won’t have to pay Olympiacos any part of the transfer fee.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in Manolas, and were also linked to him when Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge last summer, so there is a chance there might be some truth in this.
Another player that has been linked to Manchester United is Atletico Madrid star Saul Niguez, who is enjoying a breakthrough season at Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United have some impressive youngsters in their squad at the moment in Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, and reports in the English media suggest Mourinho could be looking to add Saul Niguez, despite the youngster missing out on Spain’s Euro squad.
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The Spaniard signed a new contract, a couple of weeks ago, that saw his release clause increased to £54m, Daily Mail reports.
It’s unlikely Atletico Madrid would want to part ways with Niguez so early, and that’d probably mean Manchester United would have to pay his entire release clause, but Manchester United believe Niguez would represent value for money.
Earlier, there were reports in the Spanish media suggesting Manchester United would be interested in signing Niguez in the summer, but those reports were before he signed a new contract, and you’d expect things to have changed now.
Frankly, we don’t see Niguez switching clubs in the summer, as the player is represented by Jorge Mendes, who is also the agent of Jose Mourinho, and it’s difficult to understand why the Atletico Madrid star would sign a new contract, if Manchester United were genuinely interested in him, or the player is keen on changing clubs.
