The transfer window has only been closed for just over a month, but speculation of this summer’s big money movers is already in full swing.
As usual, Manchester United will dominate the headlines when it comes to transfer speculation, and it has already started in earnest with United being linked with a whole host of midfielders and defenders.
The latest rumour coming out of Spain is that Manchester United are meeting regularly with Yannick Umtiti, the agent and brother of Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti, regarding a potential summer move to Old Trafford.
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The defender has been in excellent form for the Spanish League leaders, and United have watched him on a number of occasions already, with chief executive Ed Woodward also taking the trip to watch Barcelona’s recent game against Atletico Madrid at the Nou Camp.
United would be able to sign him with relative ease should they decide to do so, simply by triggering his €60 million (£53m) buyout clause, a fee similar to what Man City paid for Aymeric Laporte back in January.
According to Spanish publication Sport, the Red Devils are prepared to hand the Frenchman a £150,000-a-week deal to move to Old Trafford, more than double the £70,000-a-week he currently earns.
However, while Jose Mourinho’s interest is real, and the player has already spoken to his international teammates Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial about the move, the 24-year-old is using United’s interest to get a new deal at Barcelona where he would prefer to stay and become the long term mainstay of the club’s defence.