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Manchester United started the summer window brightly by quickly signing up Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee but their hunt for a new midfielder has not gone according to plan.
INEOS’ plan was to move on Casemiro, who has once again struggled in pre-season, and raise enough funds to go after Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.
However, no Saudi teams have come forward with a concrete bid and as per latest reports, a move for the Uruguayan could be off unless the Ligue 1 side significantly reduce their asking price or agree to a loan.
Sofyan Amrabat remains another option but as evidenced from last season, would be a backup at best. Interestingly, F365 have relayed that Barcelona ace Pedri could be put up for sale and the Red Devils would be open to joining the race.
Pedri up for sale
The 2021 Golden Boy winner was supposed to be one of the superstars of his generation with former manager Xavi a huge fan of his talent.
But injury troubles have meant the Spaniard has missed a large chunk of each season since his breakthrough and Hansi Flick is not as forgiving.
With the Catalan giants trying to bring Dani Olmo to the Camp Nou, they need to raise funds and Pedri could be the best way at earning a massive windfall with the academy graduate’s sale set to earn the club pure profit.
The 21-year-old does not want to waste his time on the substitutes bench and if he is not central to the new project, he is open to leaving his boyhood club.
Cross-town rivals Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain were reportedly interested but have moved on to other targets but United could take advantage.
The 20-time English league champions are ready to spend as much as €60 million to land the Spain international.
“It has been leaked that there is already a team willing to pay 60 million euros, that is to say, practically the same as it would cost to get Dani Olmo from the Red Bull Arena.
United in the race
“Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain have been strongly linked with Pedri’s admirers in recent times, but appear to have lost interest in a player who has continued to devalue himself.
“On the other hand, Manchester United would be willing to bet on him, and to negotiate with Barça. But they won’t come close to the 100 ‘kilos’ it was worth at the time, and for now, they only pay 60.”
The report needs to be taken with a heavy pinch of salt as Barca are unlikely to sanction the sale of Pedri even if he is injury-prone. Fans would not take too kindly to that decision.
However, it is imperative that INEOS address the midfield situation as soon as possible with the season-opener only a few days away.
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