With the summer transfer window creeping up on us once again, the rumour mill is beginning to gather pace here in the Transfer Tavern, and in recent weeks Manchester United have been linked with the young Benfica starlet Renato Sanches.
Sanches has broken into the Benfica side this season at the age of eighteen after impressing in his ten appearances for their B team.
He has gone on to make a further 22 appearances for the first team in the league in Portugal this year, scoring twice as the Lisbon side close in on another domestic title.
With a potential fee rumoured at £63 million however, United, and many other suitors for that matter, may look elsewhere for promising young midfielders.
It’s an eye-watering amount of money for such an unproven player and whilst any possible deal may not even reach anywhere near that amount, the Old Trafford outfit are sure to be exploring their options available to them.
So, here are FIVE players we at the Transfer Tavern think could be the possible solution…….
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE 5 ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS!
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Youri Tielemans
The 19 year-old Belgian has been a permanent fixture this season for Anderlecht.
A player who can operate both in defensive and attacking midfield roles, Tielemans would be a good option for United.
He’s scored seven goals in 42 appearances this campaign and, as a player that can use either foot, has all the tools to be a top class European footballer.
It’s only a matter of time before Tielemans joins one of Europe’s biggest clubs, and the Red Devils will be making a statement if they can gain his signature.
Mahmoud Dahoud
Another player who can fill any of the central midfield options, Dahoud’s reputation has sky-rocketed this year playing for Borussia Monchengladbach.
He’s scored five goals and laid on another nine assists this season, whilst also being a regular feature for Gladbach in the Champion League.
Yet to make his full international debut for Germany, Dahoud has featured for their U-21 side and United should sign him before his value only increases further.
Leon Goretzka
Another young German, Goretzka can play through the middle or down either side and this versatility has made him hugely important to Schalke.
The 21-year-old has two years left on his contract and Schalke will want to tie him down before his head is turned.
Schalke are likely to miss out on Champions League football this season and with United still in the hunt for it in the Premier League, the former Bochum man might be tempted.
Adrien Rabiot
Rabiot has been a revelation for PSG this year.
He’s managed a goal and assist in his 22 league games but it is in the Champions League he really showcased his talent.
The young Frenchman appeared in seven of PSG’s European games, and managed three goals highlighting his ability to compete with the continent’s finest.
The side from the French capital are sure to want to hold on to Rabiot but United may be able to attract him with the offer of playing in a far more competitive league, with one of the world’s biggest clubs.
Riechedly Bazoer
At 19, Bazoer is the latest in a long line of promising young Dutch players to feature for Ajax, it was at PSV though, where Bazoer grew up.
The midfielder has enjoyed a strong season scoring five goals and adding five assists in the Eredivisie, as Ajax came agonisingly close to winning the title.
Champions League football will be played next year at the club but as is the way so often with the Dutch sides, their best players soon get snapped up and United will do well to get Bazoer in.
