Manchester United are reportedly lining up a £79 million summer move for Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa, who is currently on loan at Juventus.
The Sun are speculating the entry of a new name into the transfer plans of Manchester United. The Red Devils are reportedly keeping a keen eye on Bayern Munich superstar Douglas Costa and are lining up a £79 million summer bid for the Brazilian, should Juventus not exercise their option to make the deal permanent.
Douglas Costa arrived at Bayern Munich from Shakhtar Donetsk in the summer of 2015 and enjoyed a stellar maiden campaign in the Bundesliga, with 14 assists and 4 goals in the league. But, the season after saw the Brazilian receive reduced game time, which had an impact on his morale and that showed on the pitch, with the player only recording 4 goals and 6 assists in the league.
The Brazilian was subsequently taken up by Juventus on a season-long loan with an option to make the deal permanent at a reported fee of £33 million. Douglas Costa took to Serie A with the same aplomb he had shown in Germany, recording 13 assists and 4 goals in the league as Juventus won the league and the Italian Cup.
Juventus are yet to exercise their option, but club executive Guiseppe Marotta has claimed that the Italian champions will activate the permanent deal option before 30th June and make the loan deal from Bayern Munich permanent. But, The Sun’s report indicates that the Bianconeri might hold off to pursue other deals, which opens the door for Manchester United to snatch him away.
Jose Mourinho will be desperate for a right-sided winger, who can add flair, creativity and some quality to the Manchester United attack. The squad at Mourinho’s disposal is left-heavy, with Marcus Rashford, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial all ineffective on the right compared to their performances on the left.
Douglas Costa would add some much-needed Samba flair to United’s attack – an attack that has often looked clueless on the pitch. The confusing thing about the report is the fee that has been quoted.
United are reportedly lining up a £79 million move, should Juventus not exercise their option to make the deal permanent, which is almost double the amount Juventus would be liable to pay – the Bianconeri paid £7 million upfront and would be liable to pay £33 million to activate the permanent transfer option.
In all likeliness, Juventus should sign Douglas Costa on a permanent deal, with the Brazilian and the club both content with each other and keen to extend their association. But, if the Italian champions do delay it beyond June, we could see Manchester United jump in and land the Bayern Munich superstar.
