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Just as Manchester United were linked with just about every Dutch player under the sun when Erik ten Hag was manager, now under Ruben Amorim’s tenure rumours are proliferating about just about every Sporting player, past and present.
United have already been linked with current squad members Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande, Morten Hjulmand, Pedro “Pote” Gonçalves, Trincão, Marcus Edwards, Geovany Quenda and Viktor Gyokeres.
As if that wasn’t enough, last week saw reports of United’s interest in Spurs’ Pedro Porro, who played under Amorim in Lisbon.
But the Daily Mail now believe yet another former Lion has been added to Amorim’s wishlist – Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint Germain, who was at Sporting for the first two years of his tenure at the José Alvelade Stadium.
The outlet reports that “United are keeping an eye on Paris St Germain left wing-back Nuno Mendes.
“The Old Trafford club want to strengthen their options in that department with Tyrell Malacia still to convince after a lengthy spell on the sidelines while Luke Shaw, now 29, has struggled with injuries of late and may yet be utilised as a left sided centre back in new manager Ruben Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system.”
Valued by transfermarkt.com at €55 million and still only 22 years of age, Mendes will not be an easy deal to pull off for United.
As The Mail notes, “His attacking style quickly established himself as fans favourite in Paris being named young player of the year … and has gone on to win three consecutive league titles.”
The outlet confirms that the Red Devils are also considering Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez.
Neither of these will be easy tasks either, with Davies being pursued by Real Madrid and Bournemouth holding out for a high price for Kerkez.
Budgetary constraints will almost certainly mean that a huge spend on a left wing back is unlikely, given the more urgent need to get a prolific striker and also, in all likelihood, to replace the aging Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield.
Ultimately, there may be an opportunity for the precociously talented Harry Amass to push through into the first team from the academy and make any move for Mendes unnecessary come June.
Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images
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