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Manchester United’s race for a former Premier League midfield standout might now get trickier if the newest experiences are to be believed.
Whereas many of the focus has been on United bolstering their assault after a disappointing 2024–25 season in entrance of aim, the Leeds pre-season pleasant introduced some realisation that midfield reinforcements may additionally be obligatory.
United’s engine room is much from its strongest.
It lacks an athletic, technically gifted midfielder, the sort head coach Ruben Amorim might have hinted he yearns for with his admissions after the 0–0 pleasant with Leeds.
Luiz: a prime midfield goal
A number of midfielders have been linked, one in every of them being Juventus’ Douglas Luiz.
Given United’s obvious desire for Premier League-proven gamers this summer time, Luiz is a no brainer goal.
Earlier than shifting to Juventus, the place he endured a nightmare marketing campaign with simply three Serie A begins and 27 appearances in all competitions and not using a single aim contribution, Luiz was a standout Premier League midfielder.
On the coronary heart of Aston Villa’s midfield, the bodily and technically gifted Brazilian was admired for his capability to manage video games from deep whereas providing defensive cowl. Lest we overlook, he was additionally an excellent dead-ball specialist.
It’s unlucky that he didn’t take his Premier League exploits to Serie A. Maybe Italy was not his cup of tea, which is why he’s now regarded as pushing for a return to England.
Everton and West Ham had been regarded as able to rival United within the swoop, with Juventus demanding round £30 million.
Whereas the enchantment of taking part in on the Theatre of Goals ought to have bolstered United’s trigger, a extra formidable switch rival has now emerged.
In keeping with Caught Offside:
“Liverpool are enthusiastic about signing the Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz in the course of the summer time switch window… Liverpool might use extra high quality and depth in the course of the park, and Luiz may very well be the perfect acquisition for them.”
If true, the Premier League champions muscling into the Luiz race might massively shake up the midfielder’s switch saga.
Luiz to Liverpool doesn’t add up
Would Luiz flip down the prospect to affix a title-winning aspect? That is still to be seen.
But when he’s eager to play extra subsequent season to make Brazil’s World Cup squad, a transfer to Liverpool might show a chance.
He might discover himself taking part in second fiddle to Ryan Gravenberch. And with Florian Wirtz’s arrival, Alexis Mac Allister might start that includes as a six, making it much more troublesome for Luiz to interrupt into the crew.
INEOS, for his or her half, will hope that being the primary to supply him an escape route from Allianz Stadium (having made a transfer final winter) and the promise of ample sport time at Outdated Trafford will sway him.
Both manner, United mustn’t depend on hope after they can sort out the deal head-on.
A swap deal (Jadon Sancho for Luiz), or perhaps a straight mortgage with an possibility to purchase, might tempt the Bianconeri to sanction an exit, thereby permitting United to beat Premier League opposition to this obligatory midfield swoop.
Featured picture Francesco Pecoraro by way of Getty Photographs
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