Man Utd have eyes on 15-goal winger with a price tag significantly less than Sancho
Manchester United’s newly unveiled recruitment team are reportedly taking particular interest in Sporting winger Pedro Goncalves.
Previous speculation has indicated that the Red Devils have shown initial interest in the 22-year-old.
In fact Record (via Sport Witness) claimed that United in fact made an approach. The source does not state when their enquiry came in, only that it arrived some time in January.
United though remain keen on the right winger, according to the Telegraph.
Football director John Murtough and technical director Darren Fletcher are making in depth transfer plans for the summer. And ‘Pote’ as he is known is believed to be on their list.
United have been attracted to Goncalves after he scored 15 goals in 21 league games in Portugal. United, it’s claimed are hunting for a right winger and a defender, and Goncalves would be a cheaper option than Jadon Sancho.
The Sporting attacker has a buy-out clause of £51.7m, considerably cheaper than a move for Sancho this summer.
Sancho was United’s priority last summer, but they would not pay the £108m asking price for the England winger.
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Recent reports have claimed that price has been reduced to around £88m this summer, but it’s unclear whether United will go after the 20-year-old again.
Goncalves, who has played much of the season in a central position, therefore would be a far cheaper option. The former Wolves Under-23 man was the replacement for Bruno Fernades at Sporting and he has gone some way to filling the void.
His former Famalicao coach Joao Pedro Sousa told the BBC: “When we brought him from Wolverhampton [in mid-2019] he was a player with almost no playing time.
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‘Versatile’ Pedro Goncalves
“He obviously wasn’t the footballer he is now. But he clearly understood the game and its different moments – something that makes a difference in high-level football. He had the chance to feature with me in a number of positions in midfield – as a double pivot, a winger and a number 10.
“This season, we are seeing him in a more advanced role, closer to the finishing area, with more goal involvements.
“He’s revealing an ability to get to the last third and attack that I didn’t know about, so I have to congratulate Ruben Amorim [Sporting boss] for that. It’s any coach’s dream to have a player as versatile as Pedro.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made it clear that he will have the final say on transfers.
Whether or not United will step up their interest fort Goncalves remains to be seen. However, United could also look at other areas to strengthen this summer.
Another centre-back is widely believed to be on Solskjaer’s list. But the Telegraph claim they will look at adding a young central midfielder also.
READ MORE: Liverpool considering offer for Goncalves