Seeking summer reinforcements, Manchester United are reportedly willing to disrupt their wage bill once again to offer one particular defensive target a significant pay rise.
Man Utd set sights on UCL winner
It's been a week full of Manchester United headlines and mostly for the wrong reasons, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe not doing himself many favours in pursuit of a popularity vote at Old Trafford. Speaking to Gary Neville, the British billionaire explained his recent cost-cutting decisions, stating that he's putting the needs of the squad first over things like free lunches.
As the summer approaches, that statement may well ring true. The Red Devils have already been linked with moves for the likes of Liam Delap and have now reportedly set their sights on signing a Champions League winner.
According to reports in Spain, Manchester United are now willing to break their wage bill to sign Ferland Mendy this summer. The left-back is currently on course to leave Real Madrid as a free agent having failed to receive the pay rise that he's after.
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Whilst he European champions aren't willing to meet the Frenchman's demands, however, those at Old Trafford are reportedly happy to do so despite their continued cost-cutting measures.
Currently earning a reported £169,000-a-week in Spain, Mendy would already be the sixth-highest earner at Manchester United, meaning that any significant increase could see him enter the top five among the likes of Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Matthijs de Ligt.
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Although they splashed out to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in the January transfer window, Manchester United should not let the chance to sign a Champions League winner for free pass them by. Dorgu's own versatility should ensure that he still has a part to play under Ruben Amorim too, all whilst the Red Devils benefit from an upgrade at left wing-back.
League stats 24/25 (via FBref) Ferland Mendy Patrick Dorgu
Starts 12 24
Assists 1 1
Tackles Won per 90 1.25 1.44
Progressive Passes per 90 3.21 2.62
A player with plenty of experience these days at 29 years old, it wasn't so long ago that Mendy found himself at the centre of Raphael Varane's praise.
The former Manchester United defender and ex-Real Madrid star previously told reporters: "He has amazing physical strength. He is adapting well to the team and to the league, and this helps us a lot. His main strength is in defence, but he helps in other areas as well."
ferland-mendy-real-madrid
Now, when the summer arrives, Mendy could follow in Varane's footsteps by swapping Real Madrid for Manchester United as the Red Devils desperately look to offer Amorim some much-needed reinforcements.