Man United identify 'exceptional' £51m La Liga midfielder as a replacement for Christian Eriksen
Man United will need to find a replacement for Eriksen, whose contract expires at the end of the season.
Man United midfielder Christian Eriksen is set to leave the club at the end of the season as his contract is due to expire in June. The Denmark international has already confirmed that he won’t sign a new deal at Old Trafford and will be looking to pursue a new challenge.
However, the midfielder will hope to help his side to win some silverware this season, as they remain in the Europa League. They face a semi-final first leg tie against Athletic Bilbao next week, where they’ll look to get half the job done in their bid to make to win their way to the final, which happens to be in Bilbao.
Seeing as Eriksen will be on his way out, Ruben Amorim will be keen to replace the 33-year-old with a younger midfielder who can have a big impact in his 3-4-3 formation for the foreseeable future.
Manchester United ‘shortlist’ Alex Baena
One new player that the Red Devils have been linked to in recent days is Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena, someone who is not so well known in other European leagues, but well regarded in Spain. The 23-year-old has made 27 La Liga appearances this season, scoring six goals and providing seven assists. He is highly versatile, able to play as a central midfielder, in a more attacking role, or as a winger.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, United have identified Baena as one of their top targets this summer, with Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich also keen to land the 23-year-old. He has a release clause of £51m, however, the report says that Villarreal are open to negotiations if there is a reasonable offer and the player himself is willing to move. He is under contract at the La Liga club until June 2028 after signing his last new deal in January 2023.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente was full of praise for the midfielder, who has eight caps for his national team. De la Fuente told the media during a press conference last year: “Alex is a fantastic player, capable of playing in multiple positions. His work rate and creativity are exceptional, and he’s proving his worth at the highest level."
Baena signing could green light Mainoo sale
If the Red Devils manage to get a deal for Baena over the line this summer, it could free them up to sell Kobbie Mainoo, who has been subject to interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea. The 20-year-old wants to sign a new contract at Old Trafford, but United are said to be unwilling to match his apparently hefty wage demands, meaning that they could sell him instead to generate ‘pure profit’ due to him being an academy product.
Mainoo could command a fee of over £70 million due to his potential and success already for United and for the England national team. He has struggled with injury this season, however, making just 20 Premier League appearances.