Manchester United are reportedly among a number of clubs including Leeds United that are interested in Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis.
According to ESPN, Florentino Luis is a hot property in the market and will be one of the more sought after players when the transfer window reopens. Manchester United and AC Milan are a couple of high profile clubs among the ones interested, with fallen English giants Leeds United also in the hunt for the Benfica midfielder.
Nicknamed ‘O Polvo‘, which means ‘The Octopus’ in English, Florentino Luis is the subject of attention of the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis as well. The 20-year-old is a beast in the midfield when it comes to work-rate and the ability to take control of the said area by grabbing loose balls with ominous results.
Bruno Carvalho Santos, Florentino’s agent, addressed the rumours and the widespread interest in the 20-year-old midfield general.
“Florentino is one of the highest rated young defensive midfielders in Europe, so there is a lot of interest in him at the moment. There has been a lot of talk about Milan, but I can tell you that there is a lot of competition for his services, with clubs in England, Germany and Spain also following him closely.”
True. Sancho, Luis and Pogba new contract. Then I would say it’s a brilliant summer transfer window for #mufc
Important: A holding midfielder is needed at United this summer and Florentino Luis (20) would be perfect under Ole as it suits our new recruitment philosophy.? #Luís https://t.co/lqo4RWWAIe
— The United Circle♨️ (@utdcircle) June 5, 2020
Manchester United have somehow built a midfield unit strong enough, with the arrival of Bruno Fernandes ensuring dominance and results even without Paul Pogba. With Pogba set to return, there is still the question of finding Matic’s successor in midfield. Fred and Scott McTominay are both better suited to a box-to-box role while Pogba and Bruno are unlikely to be asked to do the dirty work in midfield all the time.
An enforcer is the need of the hour for Manchester United and The Octopus fits the bill perfectly. Known for his prowess to control the fate of midfield duels and loose balls, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs someone to be there for worst case scenarios and when the opposition gains enough of a ground to execute a successful counter.
The report states Benfica are open to the possibility of a loan move with an option to make it permanent. But, given the status of Manchester United, the Portuguese giants might want to get the cash upfront in an immediate sale, especially if it ends up in a bidding war.
Speaking of bidding wars, AC Milan and Leeds United are two other clubs that are interested in Florentino Luis. Leeds share an age-old rivalry with Manchester United and could renew one off the pitch for the 20-year-old midfielder, with their own gem Kalvin Phillips continuously linked with a summer move.
All in all, The Octopus has become a revered quantity in the transfer market, thanks to his ball recovering skills. Manchester United could need someone like him and it wouldn’t surprise us to see the 20-year-old Benfica star be the next Portuguese to arrive at Old Trafford.
