Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is keen to land Francisco Trincao from Sporting Lisbon but the Portuguese club are likely to demand more than his release clause
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Francisco Trincao is a target for Man Utd
Francisco Trincao is a target for Man Utd
Manchester United may have to pay well over Francisco Trincao's release clause if they want to land the Sporting Lisbon star due to a complicated sell-on clause. Ruben Amorim is keen to reunite with the player whom he coached in Portugal and is confident he would be a good fit in the Premier League following a brief stint at Wolves.
Sporting are braced to lose a number of their leading lights - Viktor Gyokeres among them. As a result they're prepared to dig their heels in and demand well over the £50million release clause Trincao is said to have in his contract, with The Mirrorrevealing United's interest at the weekend.
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The 25-year-old joined from Barcelona, but the Spanish giants will take 50 percent of his future sell-on fee, reports The Sun, which limits the amount Sporting will land. Amorim's former side want £35m, which could mean they'd need to sell for at least £70m once Barcelona have taken their cut. Sporting are ready to offer Trincao a new contract in a bid to keep him at the club, but the lure of a move back to England may be too much.
The issue for the Manchester outfit will be a lack of funds, unless they can win the Europa League, which would result in Champions League qualification. Unless that happens the team are set for an all-time low finish in the Premier League, hampering their summer plans.
Amorim's squad is in major need of an overhaul despite constant spending in recent years. However the new manager may have to do that on the cheap if no silverware is claimed come May.
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Already United have missed out on Geovany Quenda, whom they were heavily linked with. The youngster came through the ranks at Sporting and Amorim was keen to bring the player to Old Trafford but Chelsea have swooped in and already secured a deal ahead of the summer.
There had been inevitable talk of Gyokeres, who has become one of Europe's top frontmen, following Amorim to Manchester. The Swede though is keen to play in the Champions League which makes a move to Old Trafford unlikely.
The Sporting Lisbon star had a stint at Wolves several years ago
The Sporting Lisbon star had a stint at Wolves several years ago
Amorim's only signing since joining the club has been Patrick Dorgu, who joined from Leece, with the player able to play the wing-back role that features in the new system. The United boss has stuck to his unique philosophy which will require certain players if it is to be a success.
That means several areas will have to be targeted in the summer with doubts surrounding a host of United's players. The club's hierarchy were willing to listen to offers for almost the entire squad, including the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, such is their need to raise funds.
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