Manchester United are looking to add creativity to their attack and are preparing to launch a bid for Leicester City playmaker James Maddison.
The number 10 role has become a thorn for Manchester United and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Red Devils though, are looking to address the situation and the lack of creativity in the squad. United are preparing a bid to bring in English playmaker James Maddison from Leicester City, according to The Mirror.
The report states that Manchester United will attempt to sign Maddison in January but could have to wait till the summer transfer window in 2020 to land the 22-year-old as Leicester City are unlikely to be willing to let go a key player like Maddison mid-season.
James Maddison was one of the stars heavily linked with a move to Manchester United in the summer. But, the Red Devils ended up signing only his teammate Harry Maguire in a deal that broke the transfer record for a defender. United were unable to or maybe chose not to sign anyone for the number 10 role, after the supposed Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku swap deal fell through.
The decision has come back to haunt them, with preferred option Jesse Lingard not providing anything credible going forward, apart from the press. Juan Mata does provide a creative boost but is not a fit for the high-pressing system that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants his team to play.
Andreas Pereira could be a solution but the star is considered for rotation on the right wing along with Daniel James so far. Also, the Brazilian is not as established an option as Manchester United need right now. James Maddison could be the man to solve all the underlying issues.
For one, Maddison aligns well with the British core philosophy that Solskjaer has reportedly established as part of the transfer policy. But, the 22-year-old is much more than that. Maddison has proven to be a reliable outlet for goals and assists, with 7 goals and as many assists in the 2018-19 Premier League season.
Maddison has also gotten off to a good start in the current campaign, with 2 assists in 3 league matches so far. The 22-year-old though, will not come cheap, especially after Manchester United were made to pay a record fee for Maguire. But, the report says that United are prepared to offer a similar fee, in the region of £80 million to bring Maddison to Old Trafford.
The need for a creative and energetic number 10 is urgent at Manchester United and Maddison may just be the answer, be it in January or the summer of 2020.
