Manchester United: £79m approach for Italy star; Morata latest; tireless midfielder targeted

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In a weekend dominated by international football, with the kick-off of Euro 2016 in France, the papers were still on hand to print the usual back page transfer stories, both at home and abroad.

For Manchester United, this meant the usual links to a number of Europe’s most talented players.

Jose Mourinho has already made his first signing as Red Devils boss – splashing the cash on 22-year-old centre back Eric Bailly. Latest speculation continues to suggest that a defensive midfielder is next on the Portuguese head coach’s radar.

Following proposals that Nemanja Matic could be on his way to Old Trafford, the club have been linked with not one, but another two players in this role.

According to reports published by the Mirror on Saturday, United have joined a host of clubs in the race for Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain also interested. The midfielder was a key proponent in Leicester City’s title triumph last season and started in France’s 2-1 win over Romania in the European Championships in France.

A tireless, box-to-box midfielder, Kante completed more tackles (4.7) and interceptions (4.2) per game than any other player in the English top flight last term. For context, United’s most prolific midfielder in this department, Morgan Schneiderlin, made 2.4 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per appearance – just over half of his compatriot’s efforts.

Arguably the best and most-dynamic defensive midfielder the Premier League has seen for several years, Kante would be worth every penny that the club would be willing to spend on his services. Reports suggest United are ready to trigger the release clause in his contract – which is believed to be around £22 million – in order to bring him to Old Trafford.

In other news, Corriere dello Sport suggest that the Red Devils are plotting a summer move for Paris Saint-Germain enforcer Marco Verratti.

The Italian paper claims United are ready to pay French champions PSG a whopping £79 million (€100m) for the 23-year-old, who was linked with a switch to Real Madrid earlier this year. Verratti has played a key role in PSG’s rapid rise to summit of European football, winning four Ligue 1 titles in his four years at the Parc des Princes.

Like Kante, the Italian international – who will feature for his country in France this summer – is an absolute work-horse in the centre of the park, making him an opponent’s nightmare. Last term alone, he averaged 3.6 tackles per appearance, while weighing in with a further 2.2 interceptions. He also proved his ability when in possession, completing an impressive 94% of his attempted passes in the league.

Both Kante and Verratti would represent significant strides forward for United, but one has to question the price that the club would have to meet in order to sign the latter.In terms of ability, the former is perhaps the more prolific defensively, while the latter would steal the plaudits based on his competence with the ball at his feet.

However, not only is Kante proven in the Premier League, as well as being more likely to fancy a move to Old Trafford, he would also cost considerably less money. If Mourinho is looking to add further recruits before the close of the summer window, then signing the Frenchmna would certainly leave more room to manoeuvre elsewhere in an already-inflated market.

Finally, Juventus striker Álvaro Morata will reportedly only agree to join Manchester United if they pull out of a deal to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovi? as Mourinho continues his Old Trafford rebuild. That is according to Italian news outlet, La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 23-year-old has attracted interest from across Europe since leaving the Real Madrid in 2014 but the likely outcome involves the Champions League winners utilising a buy-back clause in his current deal at the Juventus Stadium, before selling him on for a considerable profit.

However, recent reports suggest that Morata will only join United if he is given assurances that he will be the first choice striker. Of course, should Mourinho and co. conclude a deal for Ibrahimovic, it is likely that the Spaniard will be the man leading the Red Devils’ attack for the next season.

If true, this naturally leaves the club hierarchy with a decision to make – should they opt for experience or potential? With the aim of immediately restoring a winning mentality to Old Trafford, with the Premier League title next season’s ultimate aim, Ibrahimovic is perhaps the more sensible option in the early stages of Mourinho’s time at the club.

The Sweden international has enjoyed an incredible career to date, winning the league title at every club he has ever played and, despite being the ripe old age of 34, his efforts last season proved he still has what it takes at the highest level. If his 38 goals in 31 league appearances are not enough to impress, his five strikes (10 apps) in Europe surely will.

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