Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG are reportedly locked in a three-way summer transfer battle to land Santos FC wonderkid Thiago Maia.
As the summer transfer window approaches fast, the clubs are starting to renew their interest in former targets. The Sun report that Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are all ready to renew their transfer battle in the pursuit of Santos FC wonderkid Thiago Maia.
It is interesting to note that all three clubs were formerly linked with a move for the Brazilian anchor-man, who has been hailed as a one-of-a-kind holding midfielder. The player has already grabbed an Olympic gold medal to his name and is quickly blossoming into a superstar.
The player is a starter for Santos FC back in Brazil but the same is unlikely to be said to describe the player much longer, with the aforementioned trio of Elite European clubs pursuing the talent.
Manchester United, perhaps, need Thiago Maia the most. There has been a void in the midfield ever since the departure of Roy Keane and Thiago Maia could replicate the United legend’s role of an enforcer in the midfield, if given the chance.
Add to that the fact that the marauding nature of Paul Pogba needs to be clubbed with a slightly defensive minded midfielder and the addition of Maia could free up Ander Herrera to contribute more in the attacking areas without worrying too much of covering for the Frenchman.
Chelsea, too, would want to pair the Brazilian up with N’Golo Kante – who does the similar box-to-box job as Paul Pogba, albeit more in the mould of a ball-winning midfielder. Nemanja Matic has done a commendable job but Maia would definitely be a better option, scaling-wise.
PSG have a rich history of Brazilians donning their jersey and the French heavyweights could look to add Maia to the list of the Samba boys already at the club – Thiago Silva, Lucas Moura and Maxwell. Also, Maia could be a direct replacement to Thiago Motta, whose playing days are seemingly at an end.
Maia is contracted to Santos till 2019, who would want to eke out as much possible from the suitors in lieu of the Brazilian midfielder. The report says that the 20-year-old is likely to cost at least £16 million but the availability of multiple suitors could drive up the price in case of an auction.
It would be interesting to see how things develop as regards the pursuit of Thiago Maia. However, Maia’s talent warrants European football and it is looking likelier by the day that the 20-year-old will be treated to the same, perhaps in the summer of 2017.
