Days after being linked with a move for Benfica full back Alex Grimaldo, Manchester United have shown interest in his teammate, Goncalo Guedes.
The 19-year-old is a product of Benfica’s famed youth system, and he rose through the ranks to establish himself in the first-team squad. He enjoyed a stellar individual season last term where he scored 7 goals and assisted 10 more in just 36 appearances over the course of that season.
His performances haven’t gone unnoticed, and Arsenal were reported to be interested in the young speedster this summer, after they had sent their scouts to watch him during a friendly that Benfica played in July.
Now it has been reported that Manchester United are also keeping tabs on the winger. Portuguese publication Record insist that scouts from United had come to watch the player in their 4-0 victory over Feirense.
According to Metro, he has committed his short-term future to the Portuguese giants and since the start of the season, has scored 1 goal and registered 2 assists in 8 appearances.
He is reported to have a £52 million release clause in his current contract which runs up till 2021. Guedes has been scouted by scouts from numerous clubs.
Along with United, the likes of Juventus, Middlesbrough and Valencia were all monitoring him in Sunday’s win, where fellow Manchester United target Alex Grimaldo also got on the scoresheet.
Rui Vitoria has decided to give the Portuguese international a more central role this season, despite doing so well on the flanks in their previous campaign.
With Nicolas Gaitan and Renato Sanches both leaving for Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively, Guedes has been thrust into the spotlight and has been burdened with greater responsibility.
Should the Lisbon giants look to retain their title, Guedes will have to step up his game and it remains to be seen whether he can live up to the hype. Should he be able to repeat the feats of his 2015/16 campaign or take it a step further, the summer of 2017 might see a bidding war for someone who is expected to be the next big thing to come out of Portugal.
