Man Utd rapidly accelerate bid for £60m striker as Spurs deploy ‘secret weapon’ to sign star wingerplaceholder image
Man Utd rapidly accelerate bid for £60m striker as Spurs deploy ‘secret weapon’ to sign star winger | Getty Images
Man United are reportedly set to battle Tottenham for a signing for the second time this summer.
Manchester United have already had one transfer battle with Tottenham Hotspur this summer, as they managed to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford despite interest from Spurs who eyed a reunion between Mbeumo and former manager Thomas Frank in North London.
The Red Devils have strengthened heavily in attack, and they are now looking to make moves to improve Ruben Amorim’s midfield ahead of their opening game against Arsenal in just over a week.
Tottenham recently saw a serious ACL injury to midfielder James Maddison, and they are trying to find a replacement for the English star before the start of the season. However, reports are suggesting that Man United could swoop in and sign one of their targets.
Man United set to “battle” Spurs for Nico Paz
As Spurs look for a replacement for Maddison, one name has emerged as their main target. That is Como midfielder Nico Paz, who at just 20 years-old, has generated a lot of interest from the Premier League and beyond. Last season, Paz made 35 Serie A appearances for Cesc Fabregas’ Como, scoring six goals, and providing nine assists. He adds a level of creativity that United have been lacking in recent years.
According to Italian Journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Como recently rejected a bid of around £35m from Tottenham for the midfielder, as they value him at closer to £60m, a hefty fee for a relatively unproven 20-year-old.
However, it now seems that before Spurs can land the Argentine, United and Chelsea could both swoop in and hijack any deal for him. Caught Offside are reporting that the Red Devils are keeping close tabs on the midfielder, and any approach has been described as a “battle” between interested clubs.
It has not been reported as to whether Como are willing to sell Paz, and if the midfielder has a transfer preference. But as we have already seen with the Benjamin Sesko and Newcastle saga, United still have pulling power even without offering Champions League football.
How would Paz fit into Amorim’s squad?
The biggest issue with a potential move for Paz is that he is an attacking midfielder, and would be much more comfortable playing in one of the number 10 roles that Amorim likes to use behind a main striker.
However, as the Red Devils added Cunha and Mbeumo, they are likely to fill those spots alongside Bruno Fernandes, pushing Paz’s potential route to starting for United further and further away.
Alternatively, the 20-year-old can also play as a winger, and so Amorim could train him into a wing-back. If not, it may be more of a signing for the future for United, with a view to Paz being Fernandes’ long-term replacement at Old Trafford. If so, it would be an excellent move.
Chelsea also remain a threat to sign Paz, as the Blues could opt to bring the creative midfielder in if they miss out on RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons, who they have been pursuing for several weeks.
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