Tottenham Hotspur have opened negotiations with Bayern Munich over a deal to sign a long-term Manchester United target at a time when the Red Devils are desperate for an upgrade in his position, according to a report.
The Need for a New Midfielder
United are interested in signing a new midfielder this summer after Ruben Amorim identified a “lack of pace” in the middle of the pitch following the 0-0 draw with Leeds United in pre-season two weekends ago.
“The gaps between our sectors was sometimes too big. We have a lack of pace, especially in the middle of the park and you can feel it is hard to win and bring the ball,” the Portuguese coach observed.
Follow up performances – a 2-1 win against West Ham and the 4-1 demolition of Bournemouth yesterday – have been much better, however, with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo impressing against the Hammers last week.
Bruno Fernandes is likely to remain stationed at the heart of Amorim’s side after the captures of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, both signed to play as the number tens behind the striker.
Despite the rest of the team looking electric in the first half against Bournemouth, Casemiro was slow in transitions and struggled at times to cover the large spaces Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system produces in midfield.
The Brazilian was still a strong defensive presence, combined with good ball progression from deep, but it was a timely reminder that he is not the player he was – and the Premier League will punish those no longer physically capable of matching its demands.
Carrington graduate Toby Collyer is expected to leave Old Trafford on loan this summer while Christian Eriksen departed the club on a free transfer last month.
This has pushed a new midfielder up the club’s priority list but the vast bulk of the budget is being directed towards the forward line, with RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko being targeted to join Cunha and Mbeumo as part of Amorim’s new-look attack.
As such, cheaper options are under consideration in midfield with United linked with an £8 million move for Leicester City’s Wilfried Ndidi or a loan move for Juventus’ Douglas Luiz, previously of Aston Villa.
But there is another option United hold a long-standing interest in who may be available on loan this summer – Joao Palhinha.
INEOS Must Strike Before Spurs
United have been strongly linked with a move for Palhinha on multiple occasions in recent years after the Portugal international’s excellent performances for Fulham.
But before he joined the Cottagers, Palhinha rose to prominence for both Braga and Sporting CP under the tutelage of Amorim, who managed both clubs.
Palhinha has previously recounted Amorim’s belief in him and credits the 40-year-old coach with playing a pivotal role in his development.
The 30-year-old midfielder joined Bayern Munich last summer in a deal worth up to £47.4 million after a superb 2023/24 campaign for Fulham.
But he has failed to settle in Bavaria and, only twelve months on, Bayern are open to his departure. United have been linked with a swoop but the Bundesliga champions were not believed to be interested in a loan deal.
However, The Athletic reports Spurs have opened talks with Bayern over just that – a loan move – with the north London club viewing Palhinha as the perfect option to buttress Thomas Frank’s engine room.
This indicates the stance at the Allianz Arena has softened with the 30-year-old having firmly fallen down Vincent Kompany’s pecking order in midfield. And this presents United with a unique market opportunity: to sign a much-needed midfielder in a budget-friendly move who possesses a wealth of experience in both the Premier League and Amorim’s system.
INEOS must act now – before their domestic rival gets there first.
Featured image Sebastian Widmann 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.
