Vitinha: who is the Porto midfielder linked with a summer transfer to Man Utd?

Another day of the summer transfer window is upon us and that means one thing - more rumours as to who Manchester United are ‘interested’ in signing.

The window has been open since 10 June and the Red Devils are yet to complete a piece of business, while rivals Manchester City and Liverpool have slashed the cash on Erling Haaland and Darwin Nunez.

However, despite United needing reinforcements up top, they are also looking a bit thin in midfield after the club confirmed Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic will leave the club.

The task to revamp the Red Devils squad has fallen on new manager Erik ten Hag and his backroom staff, who, according to reports, are set to turn their attention to a former Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee.

Vitinha, who spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Molineux, is ‘set’ to have his £34m release clause activated by United, as per Record.

The Portuguese outlet claims the Red Devils have been in contact with the 22-year-old’s agent Jorge Mendes and is ‘destined’ for a move to England.

Who is Vitinha?

Born in Santo Tirso on 13 February 2000, Vitinha is a Portuguese international with three caps to his name.

The 22-year-old has spent the majority of his senior career with Porto and made his debut for their B team during the 2019-20 campaign before breaking into their first-team in January 2020.

Last season’s form

According to Whoscored.com, Vitinha averaged a rating of 7.35 for Porton last season and scored more goals (2) than Matic. Mata and Scott McTominay, while also providing more assists (3) than Lingard and the latter two mentioned midfielders.

Though predominantly a centre-midfielder, he can also operate in a more advanced role and just in front of the defence.

How likely is the deal to go ahead?

Given the reports by Record and United’s past dealing with finding top Portuguese talent, this move is one that should be monitored closely, especially since Vitinha has already experienced playing in the Premier League.