Woodward keeping watch: Mourinho taking steps to land head-turning £54.3m Man Utd deal

Though it’s been a decent season for Man Utd, the fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that next year will be even better. It has been several years since they have genuinely challenged for top-spot, and whilst that isn’t likely to happen between now and the end of the season, the 2018/19 campaign will offer them a very real chance of doing so. 

However, the gap between the Red Devils and Man City is evident, and so this summer, Jose Mourinho will need to bring in a few players if he wishes to genuinely compete.

Fortunately, according to Spanish publication Sport, moves are being made to that end. Sport are reporting that Man Utd remain keen on Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, with Ed Woodward reportedly in attendance to watch Barcelona take on Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

Umititi reportedly has a €60 million buyout clause (£54.3 million), and he has yet to agree fresh terms with Barcelona – meaning that the door is slightly ajar for Man Utd as they look to pounce. The Frenchman is said to prefer to remain at the Nou Camp, but Jose Mourinho is apparently regularly calling him in an effort to get him to consider a move to Manchester.

Though a lot of pieces have to move to get this deal done, it’s fair to say that the mere talk of a move has left our resident Red Devils feeling very excited indeed.

Umtiti has been one of La Liga’s best players this term, having quickly emerged as Barcelona’s standout defender.

The Catalan giants will, obviously, do all they can to hold onto their prized defender, but with Man Utd clearly in the hunt, anything could happen.

Landlord’s Verdict

Realistically, a deal looks unlikely, but you can’t rule it out.

If Man Utd pay the release clause, there is little that Barcelona can do, and so if Mourinho is successful in turning Umtiti’s head, this deal could have a chance of happening.

It would certainly be huge in the context of the Premier League, with Man Utd’s poor defence currently the main thing separating them from Man City. If it does happen, it won’t just be Umtiti’s head that is turning – it will be all of Man Utd’s rivals doing the same thing in shock at Man Utd’s latest big deal.

Man Utd fans – thoughts?
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