Pre-agreement cited as Man Utd prepare stunning Real Madrid raid and Ancelotti lines up replacement
Erik ten Hag is ‘obsessed’ with signing a Real Madrid superstar and a ‘possible pre-agreement’ with Man Utd has been cited, with a report also claiming Carlo Ancelotti has already spied a replacement.
The Red Devils are turning their attention to signing Rasmus Hojlund after landing Andre Onana and Mason Mount. The Denmark international is the new top priority, with Fabrizio Romano confirming an official bid is imminent.
The Telegraph claimed United’s upper limit for the deal is £60m. However, with Atalanta beating Everton to a Hojlund replacement, it appears the Serie A side are gearing up for a sale.
Romano previously stressed a holding midfielder will then take centre stage from an arrivals perspective. Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat is drawing ever stronger links and reports in Italy on Tuesday claimed the Moroccan has agreed personal terms with United.
A back-up to Onana is also wanted, though a more high profile arrival may yet come at centre-half.
Indeed, with the Sun reporting United will trigger the one-year option in Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s contract instead of signing a right-back, a new centre-back to replace Harry Maguire could take shape.
Maguire was recently stripped of the club’s captaincy and Sky Sports stressed he’s considering his options.
Ten Hag publicly stated Maguire has a role to play at Old Trafford moving forwards, though it is believed Man Utd will cash in if a suitable offer is lodged. West Ham are known to be exploring the loan route with an option to buy.
If Maguire leaves, reports in Spain are suggesting his replacement will come from Real Madrid.
As cited by FootballFanCast, it’s stated Ten Hag is ‘obsessed’ with signing versatile defender, David Alaba.
Alaba to join ex-Real Madrid contingent at Man Utd?
The 31-year-old is now a centre-half by trade, though can also deputise at left-back and in central midfield.
Man Utd have a recent history of signing Real stars in the latter half of their careers through Raphael Varane and Casemiro.
Both – but Casemiro in particular – have been successes at Old Trafford and Alaba could reportedly make it a hattrick.
Man Utd’s interest levels are termed ‘very serious’ and it’s rather cryptically stated ‘a possible pre-agreement with the 31-year-old footballer has been leaked.’
While not made clear, that could be in relation to an apparent agreement regarding personal terms.
In any case, it’s claimed a ‘very significant investment’ on Man Utd’s end is possible and a bid in the region of €50m (approx. £43m) will be enough to seal a deal.
To cover their bases in the event Man Utd do thunder in with a satisfactory bid, Real Madrid have reportedly lined up Lille’s 17-year-old Leny Yoro as his replacement.
The idea there would be to sign a rising star who’ll develop behind the likes of Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger and Nacho.
Yoro could thus follow a similar path to fellow countryman Varane who bided his time when Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho were in their prime.
READ MORE: Two Man Utd targets feature as Postecoglou eyes eight possible Harry Kane replacements at Tottenham
