By Bruna Reis
Manchester United have so far completed only one signing this summer, Matheus Cunha from Wolves.
A fee of £62.5 million was agreed between the clubs, while Bryan Mbeumo appears to be next on the list. However, the Reds have so far been unsuccessful in their attempts to sign the Brentford winger.
The Manchester Evening News previously reported that an offer of £55million plus £7.5m in add-ons was rejected after the Bees snubbed United’s opening offer worth £55m at the start of June.
Meanwhile, The Mirror has claimed that a third bid is being prepared. Former chief scout Mick Brown also gave a positive update to the newspaper, saying: “United are going to make another bid in the coming days and they’re confident they can get it done. From what I hear, I’m expecting things to speed up soon and I think it will go ahead.”
That said, United will aim to finalise other deals, including adding a new attacker.
Here, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest headlines from in and around Old Trafford.
Reds ‘readying bid’
United are reportedly preparing an offer to sign Spanish international midfielder Fabian Ruiz from Paris Saint-Germain. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Reds are readying a bid in the region of €50million (£43m) to secure the deal.
Ruiz has been a standout performer for both club and country, and he could prove to be a valuable addition under Ruben Amorim.
MEN Sport says: One of United’s issues in recent seasons has been controlling the tempo of games, especially against high-pressing teams. Ruiz excels at maintaining possession and dictating play and helps to calm games down when needed.
However, at 29, Ruiz may not fully align with United’s long-term recruitment strategy. Under the guidance of new leadership and a sporting structure aimed at sustainable success, the club is increasingly focused on targeting younger players with high potential and resale value.
‘Unwilling’ to meet £60m demand
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has reportedly emerged as a potential alternative to Viktor Gyokeres, who is said to favour a move to the Emirates Stadium, where Arsenal can offer European football.
However, The Mirror reports that Villa would demand around £60 million for Watkins – a fee United are reportedly ‘unwilling to pay’ that amount given his age and ‘lack of resale value.’
MEN Sport says: While Watkins is consistent, he isn’t a transformational talent who would boost United’s attack. He doesn’t represent a major step up from Rasmus Hojlund though he might add depth, but not a dramatic improvement in quality or output.
Watkins has little experience in high-pressure games, which may be a drawback for a club aiming to return to the elite European stage. I’m not sure he would fit into Ruben Amorim’s system with the Portuguese requiring a more technical, link-up oriented striker. Not to mention his £60m fee, which is considered on the high side.
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