Stoke City are reportedly weighing up a move to sign Ashley Young from Manchester United this summer
According to a report in The Sun, Stoke City have made an approach to Manchester United to enquire over the availability of Ashley Young in this summer’s transfer window. The Potters are considering the veteran Englishman as a replacement for Marko Arnautovic, who is set to join West Ham United.
Young joined Manchester United from Aston Villa in the summer of 2011 after spending four impressive campaigns with the Midlands club. Over the last six seasons, while Young hasn’t been one of the first names on the team sheet for four different managers at Old Trafford, he has still be a key figure in the club’s first-team setup.
His versatility, in particular, has made him a prized asset for the Red Devils, with the player being deployed as a winger, a striker, a full-back as well as a wing-back. In all, Young has played 164 times for Manchester United in the last six years, with a return of 14 goals and 32 assists to show for his efforts.
Stoke approach Manchester United for winger Ashley Young to replace West Ham bound Marko Arnautovic. (Sun) pic.twitter.com/lgA0wcxp9a
— Stoke Loud & Proud (@StokeLoudProud) July 19, 2017
His time at Manchester United may be set to come to an end this summer though, with Stoke City expressing keen interest in signing him, as they eye a viable replacement for Marko Arnautovic, who is set to call time on his spell at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Austrian forward has been heavily linked to West Ham United in recent weeks, and the move is likely to be completed later this week. Young has, thus, been identified by Stoke boss Mark Hughes as the ideal replacement for his star forward.
The 32-year-old has over a decade’s worth of experience in the Premier League, and very few come with as illustrious a record as him. And although Young is arguably past his best, he can certainly provide a lot of value in Hughes’s squad with the wealth of knowledge and experience that he boasts.
At Manchester United, the player has been a squad player for a while now, and he is likely to fall further down the pecking order if Ivan Perisic completes his move to Old Trafford. Therefore, Young is expected to end his spell with the Red Devils this summer.
The veteran forward was heavily linked with an exit in the winter transfer window, before the move was blocked by Jose Mourinho with injuries and fatigue taking a toll on his squad.
With no such issues as of now, and with reinforcements lined up, Young’s time at Old Trafford is certainly drawing to a close and it remains to be seen if Stoke becomes his next destination.
