Manchester United have set their sights on Atletico Madrid defender Jose Gimenez in a bid to bolster their ailing defence.
The Red Devils have already spent a huge amount of money to bring in Eric Bailly from Villarreal during the summer transfer window. But one month into the Premier League, the cracks are evident in the Manchester United defence. Despite Daley Blind putting in fairly good performances at centre-back whenever called upon, the Dutchman is a makeshift defender, with his original position being that of a defensive midfielder. He doesn’t offer the same kind of assurance that a natural centre-back would.
Now according to Mirror, in a bid to replace the 26-year-old, Manchester United have set their sights on Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez. The 21-year-old enjoyed a stellar individual season last year after being called to the first team by Diego Simeone, helping Los Rojiblancos to the final of the UEFA Champions League and a third placed finish in the La Liga.
The Uruguayan international was reportedly watched by Manchester United scouts last week during Atletico’s Champions League Group D match at the Philips Stadion. It was a hard fought victory for Simeone’s side and Gimenez even managed a clean sheet. Manchester United would be further boosted in their pursuit for the young defender given that gaffer Jose Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes maintains good relations and possesses strong connections within the Atletico Madrid hierarchy.
Jose Mourinho has already let go of Paddy McNair and Donald Love to Sunderland and Tyler Blackett to Reading this season after deeming them to be surplus to requirements whilst also sending out Cameron Borthwick-Jackson on loan to Wolverhampton Wanderers to get more game time. A big prospect for the future, Gimenez established himself in the first team last season after making 38 appearances across all competitions, after he made 26 appearances the season prior to that. He moved to the Vicente Calderon in 2013 for a mere €900 000, so Atletico would stand to make a huge profit on his sale, should they let him go.
