Manchester United are in line to make an audacious swoop for a key Atletico Madrid player in the winter transfer window. Before you jump the gun and imagine a certain Antoine Griezmann, let me tell you that the player up for discussion here is their defender, Jose Gimenez.
According to the Mirror, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has made the Uruguayan defender his prime target for the winter transfer window. The report says that United are trying to buy out his current contract which is said to be worth £60million.
The Red Devils are keen on adding an extra defender to strengthen their defensive line. It is being said that Mourinho feels there is a strong need to add more bodies to his squad. If United want to be successful in their pursuit of Gimenez, a lot of cash will have to be splashed.
Is he worth all the money? I’m not a huge fan of heavy bids for unproven talents but the 22-year-old is a rare exception. He already has 37 international caps for Uruguay and is already one of the regulars in their team.
Gimenez joined Atletico Madrid from his home club Danubio in 2013 for a sum of €900,000, which is now looking like a measly sum. He has already made 107 appearances for the Spanish capital side and has scored 5 goals so far.
The defender has already notched up an impressive CV that includes reaching two Champions League finals and winning the La Liga in 2014. In 10 appearances this season, he already has a goal and an assist to his name, highlighting his attacking contributions.
Will Atletico be interested in selling him? For all his exploits, Gimenez is still not a shoo-in for the first-team under Diego Simeone this term. He has fallen down the pecking order, with Stevan Savic and Diego Godin ahead of him. The lure of cashing in on him could appeal to Atletico.
Atletico have made a notoriously slow start and in January they will be free to get into the transfer market – both buying and selling. I think United will have a good shot at Jimenez.