Man United want to sign "sensational" £48m Bayern Munich star amid internal talks claim
Manchester United are looking to strengthen in midfield this summer following Christian Eriksen’s departure.
Ruben Amorim has already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves, he also looks to be adding Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, and a striker to his Manchester United squad this summer. They have recently been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Hugo Ekitike.
However, they also need more reinforcements in midfield as Christian Eriksen has left the club after his contract expired. The Danish international made 35 appearances for the Red Devils last season, scoring five goals and providing six assists.
They had been linked to signing Atalanta midfielder Ederson, but United’s lack of Champions League football, and Ederson’s hefty cost mean that this move now looks unlikely. So, Amorim will need to look at alternatives instead.
Man United want to sign ex-Fulham star
If they are unlikely to sign Ederson, then the Red Devils will need to consider other options, and it has emerged that they are now looking to the Bundesliga to find their Eriksen replacement.
According to a report by GiveMeSport, United are exploring a loan deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha, who previously spent time in the Premier League at Fulham the year before.
The report says that Palhinha could be available as he is currently having internal talks regarding his future at Bayern, as he was unable to make a huge impact during his first season at the Allianz Arena.
Palhinha made 24 appearances last season for Vincent Kompany’s side, and United reportedly want to bring in the midfielder, as their interest in the Munich man spans back to Palhinha’s time at Fulham, between 2022 and 2024. During his time at Craven Cottage, the 29-year-old made 79 appearances for Marco Silva’s side, and impressed to a point where Bayern paid £48m for him last summer.
This season, he hasn’t had much opportunity, but he has still impressed. Whilst on TNT Sports, former United defender Rio Ferdinand praised the Portuguese midfielder. He said: “He's been absolutely sensational this season. You need someone like that in front of you as a defender.”
It isn’t clear yet as to whether Bayern would be willing to loan Palhinha out, but seeing as he only made 24 appearances in all competitions, it is more likely than if he was a starter every single week.
Who else could Man United sign in midfield?
Palhinha and Ederson aren’t the only midfielders who have been linked to a move to Old Trafford. Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney could also be a potential Eriksen replacement, as United reportedly really like the England U21S star.
Hackney was one of the best midfield players in the Championship last season. He made 44 appearances in all competitions for under Michael Carrick - who has since been sacked, scoring five goals and providing three assists.
Tottenham, West Ham, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are all said to be keen on the 22-year-old too, and it has been reported that Middlesbrough have set a £20m price tag on Hackney, which would make him a much cheaper alternative compared to the likes of Ederson, who was priced at around £60m.