Man Utd transfer news: €60m could see Valencia replaced by Serie A’s trickiest defender
Manchester United could secure Juventus right-back Joao Cancelo for €60m, according to reports.
The Portugal international has completed more dribbles (58) than any other defender in Serie A this season but despite having obvious attacking qualities, Cancelo has endured a mixed first campaign since arriving from Valencia last summer.
Cancelo’s debut season at Juve: Five key things to know…
- Cancelo left Valencia to join Juventus for €40.4m in June 2018.
- The right-back has provided five assists across Serie A and Champions League games this season.
- He has also completed more dribbles (58) than any other Serie A defender in 2018/19.
- There are, however, serious doubts in Turin over his defensive capabilities.
- Reports suggest the Old Lady could let him leave for €60m, with Man Utd being linked.
Man Utd are desperate for further options at right-back, with Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia advancing well into their 30s, while Diogo Dalot is yet to convince the Old Trafford hierarchy that he is the long-term solution.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted his side are highly unlikely to challenge for the Premier League title next season but won’t be looking for quick fixes in the transfer market.
Instead, they will be looking for younger targets, which the club can ‘develop’.
“I think I’ve been quite honest that challenging for the title next year would be a miraculous season because we’re so far behind at the moment points-wise,” he told reporters.
“And yes next season we’ve got to close that gap. But this summer will also be about players who can last here for many years.
“I don’t think we’ve ever been a ready-made club – [Cristiano] Ronaldo was not ready-made, [Wayne] Rooney was not ready-made.”
At 24, Cancelo would fit that profile perfectly, with brilliant capabilities on the ball and going forward but still having sizeable flaws in his defensive game that would need to be ironed out. Reports in Italy suggest the Serie A champions have named their price, with United one of the frontrunners to claim his signature in the summer.
Cancelo, a 14-time Portugal international, has one goal and five assists in 30 Serie A and Champions League games combined so far this season.
