Pranav Nair
Transfer News: Manchester United in negotiations with Real Madrid for Luka Jovic
According to Tribal Football (h/t Express), Manchester United are currently discussing a deal for Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic in the summer transfer window.
The Serbian ace moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019 but has struggled to displace Karim Benzema from the starting lineup. The 23-year-old has scored a measly two goals for the Spanish giants, making a mockery of his massive £52million transfer fee. A return to Frankfurt on loan midway through the last season also was an average success at best.
Los Blancos are experiencing a summer that is more focused on selling players than bringing them in. Jovic could be the next one to make way as Real look to complete a move for Kylian Mbappe. The young Frenchman has just a year to go on his deal at the Parc des Princes and is yet to commit his future to the club.
Manchester United could be set to benefit for a second time thanks to Real this summer if the reports are to be believed. The Red Devils have already agreed on a deal for Raphael Varane and are now keen on landing Jovic as well.
The 23-year-old is a talented player who does have the habit of making his way to the wrong headlines. A prolific scorer in the Bundesliga, he has failed to shine since the move to Real and is in need of reinvention. There is still much football left in him and could do with a manager who can help draw out his potential.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has shown himself capable of helping young players and as a former striker, he could be well placed to reinvent Jovic. Despite Edinson Cavani staying on and Anthony Martial returning to fitness, the Norwegian is keen to add to his attack.
A problem-child?
Jovic is also a handful off the pitch. He courted controversy when he made the poorly thought out decision to fly home to Serbia before curbs were lifted. He later apologised for his transgression. His decision to fly home to Serbia in violation of the country’s lockdown rules, that saw him censured by the country’s Prime Minister Ana Brnabic and President Aleksander Vucic. (h/t Mirror)
Whether the controversial Serbian fits the ‘United DNA’ that Solskjaer talks so much about remains to be seen.
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While bringing in strength in depth is welcome, United are better off making a loan move for Jovic. The high reward low-risk move could very well be just what we need to navigate through a long and hopefully successful campaign.
With Mason Greenwood also capable of playing as a striker, United do have enough numbers to contend with upfront. The club would be better off strengthening elsewhere.
