Prominent agent ‘expected today in Manchester’ as blockbuster defender deal surfaces
Manchester United will hold talks with the agent of Nuno Mendes with Miguel Pinho “expected today in Manchester”.
That is the latest from Portuguese outlet A Bola, who claimed Man City were readying an offer for the 18-year-old last week. Now United have jumped into line for the highly-rated left-back, who has the same agent as Bruno Fernandes. That will obviously heighten the talk that United are ready to make an offer for Mendes.
If the source are to be believed then it could be a straight shoot out between City and United for Mendes, who has three Portugal caps. Or as A Bola put it a “Manchester derby for Nuno Mendes”.
The report suggests that Mendes’ sale “gains more and more strength and seems to be even irreversible”.
The agent’s “primary objective” is to meet with Fernandes. The pair will be reunited after the Covid-19 pandemic made air travel almost impossible for the last 18 months.
Per the source, “that could lead to other conversations” with Sporting well aware they will not be able to keep hold of the starlet much longer.
Pinho is also understood to have “privileged relations” with United and that could favour them over City in a potential summer transfer.
Sporting boss Ruben Amorim is aware of the interest in Mendes and is eyeing a huge summer sale. Mendes has a huge 70m buyout clause in his deal and Sporting are hoping they can top their biggest ever export. That was of course the €55m that United paid for Fernandes in January 2020.
It would be huge marker laid down by United if they fork out the type of money Sporting are envisaging for a new left-back. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is well stocked in that position with the resurgent Luke Shaw and Alex Telles.
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Telles swap talk
Last month, according to Record in Portugal, there is a possibility that Telles could be offered as part of a deal for Mendes.
Solskjaer also has Brandon Williams, who was thrown into the first team in the second half of last season.
United’s owners are set to back Solskjaer in the transfer market this summer. A new centre-back appears to be on the club’s radar, as well as a new striker and a winger.
With Erling Haaland looking out of reach this summer, United are being heavily linked again with Harry Kane, while Jadon Sancho could finally arrive at Old Trafford this summer.
Officials at United have what is described as a “growing belief” that a deal to sign Jadon Sancho will finally be agreed this summer.
That’s because, according to Eurosport, that the player’s value is now nearer the £50m mark than it is the £100m.
As such, they state United are preparing an opening offer of around €75m (£64.6m) which they hope will set the ball rolling.
READ MORE: Pundit has convincing reasons why Man Utd will seal Harry Kane transfer
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