Manchester United are “exploring” a blockbuster move for Warren Zaire-Emery but will face “serious obstacles” in signing the Paris-Saint Germain starlet, according to a report.
Ruben Amorim has requested reinforcements in his midfield unit with the head coach wanting an athletic number eight signed this summer.
Christian Eriksen is set to depart Old Trafford as his contract expires while there are ongoing doubts about the physicality of Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, and Kobbie Mainoo in a midfield pivot in the Premier League.
United have been linked with a move for Atalanta dynamo Ederson but the Brazil international will prove a costly pursuit, despite appearing a perfect fit in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Palmeiras midfielder Richard Rios has been identified as a cheaper alternative but the 25-year-old Colombian has never played in Europe, let alone a top five league, carrying risk his skillset will not travel well.
These concerns may have led United to identify Zaire-Emery as an ambitious target this summer with the 19-year-old star considered one of the continent’s standout prospects in midfield.
TEAMtalk reveals the Red Devils have “started making exploratory contacts to understand the possible conditions of a blockbuster deal” with PSG demanding €100 million (£85m) to part with the talented youngster.
Luis Enrique, the Ligue 1 giant’s manager, is “keen” to keep Zaire-Emery, despite the Spaniard having achieved an historic treble this season with an Iberian midfield trio of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, and Joao Neves.
But the report reveals United’s interest is “concrete” with “preliminary talks” held with Zaire-Emery’s camp over a switch to Old Trafford, though a deal would only be accelerated later in the summer window.
The bulk of United’s summer budget is set to be directed towards Amorim’s misfiring forward line with Matheus Cunha already signed for £62.5 million and negotiations ongoing for Bryan Mbeumo at a similar price.
This leaves little room for an £85 million raid for a midfielder, even with sales for unwanted stars like Alejandro Garnacho and the three loanees, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
But INEOS have demonstrated a commitment to going above and beyond if they consider a young talent an elite prospect and unique market opportunity, as evidenced by the capture of Leny Yoro from French side LOSC Lille last summer.
Perhaps United’s rulers would consider a return to Ligue 1 with a blockbuster offer for one of Europe’s most highly-regarded youngsters who offers the exact profile in midfield the club’s head coach has requested.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
