Manchester United could be sure about who will it sign before the transfer window expires.
The Red Devils are expected to complete another signing in the final days of the current window, particularly a midfielder.
Among the players being heavily linked to Manchester United at the moment are Rennes’ Eduardo Camavinga, Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ruben Neves.
According to reputable transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, though the three aforementioned names are all candidates, Manchester United’s “first” priority is Camavinga.
“The three names they always had on the list were [Eduardo] Camavinga, Saul [Niguez] and Ruben Neves,” Romano said on the latest episode of “The Here We Go Podcast.” “These were the three names on the list of Manchester United, in this order: first Camavinga, second Saul, third Ruben Neves.”
Prior to his latest update, Romano already revealed that Camavinga is likely to depart the French side for a fee of around €35 million ($41 million).
However, the club that will make an offer is yet to be known.
Eduardo Camavinga of Rennes is arguably the most exciting young talent in world football just now
Photo: AFP / DAMIEN MEYER
Camavinga has been eyed by an array of suitors across Europe’s top five leagues, and as rumors continue to swirl, Rennes manager Bruno Génésio stressed that the teenager would need to make a decision whether he likes it or not.
“I think a lot of things are happening in his head,” Génésio said of Camavinga. “He’s not able to express his full potential, which he hasn’t lost. Sometimes things happen in your head which means it doesn’t work as well in the legs.”
"I’m not here to indulge anyone, I’m here to build a competitive team,” the manager continued. “He is capable of performing despite what’s being said of him, he didn’t have a catastrophic match, as I’ve read. Now, the only explanation is that he has to resolve his situation as long as he sits on the fence.”
“You have to put yourself in the shoes of an 18-year-old player who’s become an international, and doesn’t know whether he should leave or stay. It’s difficult to manage. The difficulty is that young players are very quickly faced with all of these issues."
Saúl Ñíguez celebrates with his teammates after giving Atlético Madrid the lead against Bayern Munich.
Photo: Getty Images
Niguez, meanwhile, has long been said to be leaving Atletico Madrid this summer.
Lifting the lid on the midfielder’s situation, Atleti boss Diego Simeone admitted that there’s nothing the club can do if Niguez wants to play for another team.
“We cannot put aside what is rumored and talked about,” Simeone emphasized last month. “If he has to leave, give him a big hug, wish him the best with the boys who gave us life and to continue being friends, as always.”
Neves, on the other hand, is the least favorite among the three as some earlier report said Manchester United is not keen on matching Wolves’ $55 million demand.
Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers
Photo: Getty Images | Catherine Ivill