Manchester United have been in talks to sign another midfielder, following the arrivals of Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
Tielemans became the second new addition to Man United’s midfield on Tuesday. After completing a move to Old Trafford, the Belgian said: “Signing for such a special club feels incredible; it is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.
“I have had the privilege of experiencing success in the game, and it has only increased my determination to achieve more. The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear; we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years.”
However, in order to start competing at the top table of European football once again, United may need to make another addition in the middle of the park.
Man Utd open talks to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi
According to reporter Ben Jacobs, the Red Devils have now opened talks to sign Lille star Ayyoub Bouaddi, with the French side seeking €100m (£85m) for the Moroccan maestro.
Should an interested party be willing to loan Bouaddi back to Lille for a year, their asking price would drop, with Arsenal also in hot pursuit. David Ornstein even revealed earlier this week that he was now Manchester City’s top target. The Citizens are pushing to get a deal done.
Football FanCast’s Verdict
Credibility
The news comes from an established reporter in Ben Jacobs, and United’s interest is well-known, with it even being revealed they have considered deploying Sir Alex Ferguson to convince the central midfielder to move to Old Trafford.
Finances
However, a deal could break the bank a £85m. Should the Red Devils be willing to stump up that fee, Bouaddi would become their second-most expensive signing of all time, behind only Paul Pogba.
Insight
At just 18-years-old, the midfielder has already collected eight caps for national side Morocco, and he made 30 appearances for Lille in Ligue 1 alone last season, so he already has plenty of first-team experience.
Impact
That said, with United signing Tielemans and Santos, the teenager could be utilised as a back-up option by Michael Carrick to begin with. A loan back to Lille for one year could also make sense, especially considering it would mean a reduction in the French side’s asking price.
Ayyoub Bouaddi draws comparisons to Wayne Rooney
European football broadcaster Andy Brassell is a big admirer of the Lille prodigy, saying: “He’s not the same player as Wayne Rooney, obviously, but I think you get a little bit of that Wayne Rooney or Jude Bellingham feel for him.
“In terms of how he’s physically built, it says on his birth certificate that he’s a boy, but he looks like a man immediately.”
Former Morocco international Mehdi Benatia is a big fan too, saying: “He’s a phenomenon, the kind of player that is very rarely born.”
Not only was the starlet a first-team regular for Lille last season, but he also started five of Morocco’s six World Cup games, winning four tackles and maintaining a 91% pass-completion rate in a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
Having already proven himself for club and country at such a young age, Bouaddi could be a fantastic signing for Manchester United.
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A bigger coup than Tielemans: Man Utd in “formal talks” to sign £50m star
The next Man Utd signing appears to be on the agenda, after Youri Tielemans’ capture.
