Sridhar Bhamidi
That Manchester United are in the market for a left-back is an open secret. Manager Jose Mourinho’s relationship with Luke Shaw is something that is already out of its shelf-life, which is why the Portuguese is looking at every option in the market.
The latest name to be linked with the Red Devils is Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo. This has been confirmed by the Portuguese club’s chief executive Domingos Oliveria who has suggested that his club would not be averse to selling Grimaldo.
The 22-year-old is a product of the famous Barcelona’s La Masia academy but did not make the cut at the Catalan club. Having joined Benfica in 2015, the youngster has become a key player in their starting line-up.
With Mourinho looking to solve his left-back conundrum, Benfica are ready to play supplier and let Grimaldo join Old Trafford.
Oliveria was speaking to IBTimes UK (h/t Manchester Evening News) when he said:
“All of the Benfica players have a certain market. Now you have some differences, the oldest guy we have in the team is Julio Cesar who is 38 years old and youngest is Miles Svilar who is 18. “But for a player who is 25, 26, 27, or younger at 22, 23, 24, there is a huge market. I am not talking specifically about Grimaldo, but all players with those conditions, they have a market.
This is only a reiteration of what Benfica’s principles are. As a club, Benfica is known for selling their best assets at the right price, almost every season. So, no surprises at Grimaldo being touted as the next one to leave Benfica.
Interestingly, the left-back is not the only one being linked with Manchester United right now. Young goal-keeper Mile Svilar, who has been earning rave reviews with his performances, was also fleetingly mentioned in the media (Manchester Evening News).
Svilar is well-known among the Red Devils fans after a great show of goal-keeping in the Champions League match only to inadvertently gift United a victory after a silly mistake. That hasn’t stopped United from checking the youngster’s progress, although it must be seen how he fits at the club as United are already well-stocked in that position.
Almost on the same lines, another story doing the rounds is that of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. The winger, who is still a fan favourite at Old Trafford (will forever be), has been linked with a move back to the club after all the rumblings happening in the Spanish capital. Bookmakers still believe PSG are leading the chase but United are a close second and could surprise everyone. (Manchester Evening News)
So, who among these do you want to see at the club next year?
