Highly rated central midfielder Renato Sanches of Benfica could be on his way to Old Trafford next season for a fee reported to be in the region of 60 million euros.
Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio reported earlier today on his website that Manchester United is ready to pay up to 60 million euros to acquire the highly rated 18 year old Portuguese box to box midfielder, who was on their radar for the last couple of months.
Di Marzio also reports that should Benfica accept the money for the player, who reportedly has a buyout clause of 45 million euros, according to SkySports, United will pay the money in installments over a 4 year period, thus skirting the Financial Fair Play norms. The installment mode of payment was highly successful with Italian teams as we saw Inter Milan bringing a complete squad overhaul last year adopting these policies.
Balancing the midfield
Renato Sanches has been hailed in Portugal as the next big Portuguese superstar. Having a knack for scoring last gasp winners and equalisers, he will fit right in a Manchester United team where his fellow Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo also made his name. Louis Van Gaal’s side has shown slow but steady progress in terms of player development in the last two years.
In a side where young players like Rashford, Martial and Fosu-Mensah seem to be enjoying more success at the moment than older players, Renato Sanches will bring key attributes to the team. He has the desire to chase lost balls, makes interceptions and has good ball distribution. He will form a good two-man pivot alongside Schneiderlin, should Van Gaal choose to play the 4-2-3-1.
Looking forward to Sanches in a United Shirt
The fans would be excited to have another highly rated teenage bag of talent join what already seems like a very exciting project. However any deal of such nature is difficult and involves a lot of negotiations. It whould be unwise to remark that the player who was essential to saving Rui Vittoria’s job in February is a done deal for the Red Devils. But it does seem like a deal that the Manchester club would do.
