Man Utd ‘most notably’ keen on €35m ex-Tottenham target – two qualities make him ‘ideal’ buy
It is reportedly Man Utd who are ‘most’ interested in signing Sassuolo midfielder and ex-Tottenham Hotspur target Davide Frattesi.
United were focused on signing a midfielder in the summer. Frenkie de Jong was understood to be their main target but he made it clear that he intended to remain at FC Barcelona.
Erik ten Hag admitted back in July that United were looking to sing a new holding midfielder:
“We are looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position,” Ten Hag said, “but it has to be the right one.
“There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position.
“I will not react on a certain player. We need the right player. We have a list and we qualify as the player who has the competence to play that role. We will strike the moment the player is available.”
The Red Devils eventually opted to bring in Casemiro. He joined them from Real Madrid for a potential fee of £60m.
The midfielder has been unable to hit the ground running at United as he has spent the last few weeks occupying the bench in the Premier League.
Now United are being linked with Frattesi. The 23-year-old progressed through the ranks at Roma but he has been with Sassuolo since 2017.
The Italy international is more forward-thinking than Casemiro. He has netted two goals in Serie A this season.
ScoutedFTBL have already given Man Utd a heads-up on what they might see from Frattesi:
“English pundits would love to commentate on Frattesi’s matches,” they wrote.
“He brings pace, power, passion and desire to the game, and has been a consistent performer that rarely puts in bad shift.
“He’s a big-bodied midfielder that throws his weight around, bruises the opposition and seeks to dominate within his sphere of influence.
“He looks like a nightmare to play against as he constantly snaps at the heels of his direct opponent in attempts to win back possession.
“And he is quick too, regularly demonstrating great recovery speed that makes him a very valuable asset when defending in transition – an important virtue in a ball-dominant team that wants to defend high up the pitch.”
Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness) are reporting that a couple of Premier League clubs are interested in Frattesi but ‘most notably’ Man Utd.
The report notes that Tottenham and Roma attempted to sign him in the summer.
Man Utd sent an ‘observer’ to scout Frattesi last weekend and it is suggested that ‘it won’t be the last either’.
The midfielder is valued at €35m but this figure could ‘rise even further’ with Man Utd involved in the chase.
They add that the player’s ‘running and intensity’ would make him an ‘ideal midfielder’ for Man Utd in the Premier League.
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