Man Utd ‘willing to do crazy things’ to land La Liga star as ‘shock departure not ruled out’
Premier League side Man Utd are interested in signing Real Madrid defender Eder Militao in the summer transfer window, according to reports.
The Red Devils are in the market for a new centre-back with the future of Harry Maguire currently up in the air.
Reports in Germany insisted last month that a potential exit for Victor Lindelof is off the cards as Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag will block his departure.
Ten Hag’s preferred centre-back pairing, when fit, is Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane with Luke Shaw even starting ahead of Maguire on occasion last season.
There have been rumours that Maguire will definitely leave this season but transfer expert Fabrizio Romano explains that it isn’t as clean cut as that.
Romano said on Monday: “For Harry Maguire, my understanding is things are still less clear and that the player will speak to Erik ten Hag soon to clarify his situation.
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“This has been the plan for a while, but this meeting still needs to happen, and after that we’ll see what decision all parties come to.”
And Spanish newspaper Nacional insists that Man Utd are lining up a move for Real Madrid centre-back Militao, who can also play as a right-back.
It is understood that the Red Devils are ‘willing to do crazy things’ to get Militao out of the Bernabeu with their interest ‘not surprising’ as the Brazilian has become one of the best defenders in world football.
Man Utd are said to have ‘a lot of money’ – which isn’t quite true with a fairly modest budget of around £120m by their standards – and ‘are willing to satisfy the wishes of the Dutch coach, who wants Militao to become his new boss in defence’.
It seems unlikely that Man Utd would be able to afford such a transfer this summer unless they raise a lot of money in sales but another Spanish outlet Cope insist a big departure is possible at Real Madrid this summer.
Not specifying any players, Cope said (via Madrid Xtra): ‘A shock departure is not ruled out this summer.’
One signing Man Utd are getting closer to sealing is for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana, with Ben Jacobs claiming the Premier League side are “remaining optimistic” that a deal can be struck despite having two offers turned down.
Jacobs wrote on Twitter: “Manchester United remain optimistic they can strike a deal with Inter for Andre Onana. €45m bid turned down. #MUFC plan was always to try for under €50m. As reported, Inter want close to €60m. But still a real chance they will sell for less. Onana wants the move.”