Sridhar Bhamidi
Just when I was thinking that this summer will go without linking Ezequiel Garay to Manchester United, this news comes out. Latest reports from Spain picked up by Super Deporte (via The Express) indicate that the Red Devils are interested in the Valencia defender.
According to these reports, United had scouting teams in place at the Estadio Mestalla to observe the Argentine defender and sports betting tips rates the defender highly. Chief Spanish scout Carlos Ruiz and Javier Ribalta – who is the club’s top scout – were in attendance along with another representative on Friday night for Valencia’s game against Las Palmas.
The increased anticipation is because of the presence of Ribalta who gives final approval to the players and also the fact that a large contingent was watching the game.
It is not the first time that United were linked heavily with the 30-year-old. David Moyes and Louis van Gaal too were reported to be interested during their tenure although a move never materialized.
Garay has been strongly linked with an exit from Valencia this summer because of the arrival of Arsenal’s Gabriel and Inter Milan’s Jeison Murillo. The latter joined on a two-year loan deal and Garay’s future is in considerable doubt.
He is not short of suitors as Italian Champions Juventus are reported to be eyeing him as a replacement for Leonardo Bonucci who has departed to AC Milan. Tottenham Hotspur were also interested in the player although the signing of Davinson Sanchez from Ajax should cool their interest.
Valencia are understood to be valuing the player at around £25 million and for someone of his experience, it is not a huge price. The Argentine has past experience of working under Jose Mourinho with whom he linked up at Real Madrid in the 2010-11 season.
If United are interested, Juventus look to be the only potential opposition although the Bianconeri are reported to have set their sights on signing Kevin Strootman from Roma as the top priority.
Mourinho started the season with two clean sheets and the central defensive partnership of Eric Bailly and Phil Jones has done a neat job. Chris Smalling and new signing Victor Lindelof are available from the bench.
Unless Mourinho wants to cover for the loss of form or injuries, signing Garay may not be the priority for him this summer.
