Krishnan Sreekumar
Transfer News: Manchester United monitoring Sporting Lisbon star Joao Palhinha closely this season
According to Record (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United are keeping a close eye on £25million-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Palhinha as they look to add reinforcements to their squad at the end of the season.
United currently operate in central midfield by utilising Fred and Scott McTominay. Although the pair have been regularly used by managers present and past, there are question marks about whether the midfield duo has what it takes to lead the side to the next level and win trophies.
It is with this in mind that Palhinha could have been identified by the club as a potential recruit in the summer. Such is the Red Devils’ interest in the player that they have sent scouts to watch the star in action eight times this season to ensure he fits in well at Old Trafford.
Palhinha’s excellent form with Sporting has also seen him be called up to the national team, with the Portugal international also slowly becoming a regular fixture in the side. His rise from potential talent to international star has been remarkable, and it shows just how skilled the player is.
Portuguese connections
It is said that United were interested in signing the 26-year-old last summer, but were put off by Sporting’s transfer fees for the midfielder. However, the Manchester side could go in for him once again this summer, and finally, get their hands on the Portuguese star.
The Red Devils have a good relationship with Sporting, given that the side has signed Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes from the Primeira Liga club before. If all goes well, then Palhinha could join his national team compatriots in Manchester in the summer.
Hopefully, the summer sees Sporting reduce their asking price for the midfielder, and United can look to snap him up for themselves. Our midfield has long cried out for a midfield lynchpin this season, and Palhinha could prove to be the one to take over the role.
At 26, the Portugal international is about to enter his prime years as a footballer, and we would do well to sign him at this time. Trophies have not made their way to Old Trafford in over 5 years, and a weak midfield in the team to take control over games is partly to blame for that.
More Manchester United News
- Manchester United looking to keep forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Martial beyond the summer
- Juventus earmark Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba as their primary target for the summer transfer window
- Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has doubts regarding forward Cristiano Ronaldo
However, the race to sign Palhinha is not that easy, given that a host of Premier League clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Wolves, and Newcastle United are also interested in securing the services of the Sporting player.
We can hope that our prior relationship with Sporting and the presence of Ronaldo and Fernandes is enough to convince Palhinha to swap Portugal for England, just as his compatriots once did in their career. With Paul Pogba looking like he will leave as a free agent this summer, the need to sign a potential replacement for him becomes all the more vital.
