I wish this was done earlier – Erik ten Hag Manchester United manager laments
Manchester United have decided to hold on to Erik ten Hag and the Dutch manager’s request is to sign a top midfielder this summer.
Ten Hag was desperate to lure De Jong two years ago but the Oranje midfielder refused to leave Barcelona. Now, another Barca player is on the radar at Old Trafford.
As per yesterday’s version of Sport, Ten Hag is looking to sign ‘players with technical quality’ and wants Man Utd to secure the signing of Fermin Lopez.
The famous Catalan media outlet have mentioned that the Red Devils have moved in with an initial offer of £25.4million (30 million euros) for the Spanish international.
However, the Nou Camp club has refused the proposal ‘with a smile’ and have told United that only an enormous fee will force them to sell the 21-year-old midfielder.
As far as Lopez’ preference is concerned, he hopes to stay with the Blaugrana. He told Mundo Deportivo.
“I’d be happy to sign new deal at Barça, this club is my dream since I was a kid.I hope to stay at Barcelona for many years, it’s my clear wish.”
The youngster broke into the first team last term and impressed big time under the management of Xavi. He started 14 games in the Spanish La Liga and found the net on 8 occasions.
He also netted 2 goals in the UEFA Champions League against Shakhtar and Napoli and his top performances earned him a call-up from the national side.
Lopez made his debut for La Roja earlier this month vs Andorra and is currently in Germany for the European Championships.
In your view, should Man Utd raise the offer to sign Fermin Lopez?
Manchester United’s search for a new central midfielder has now taken a turn with reported interest in yet another former Ajax player.
Erik ten Hag is now entering his third summer as boss of Manchester United and now there has been reported interest in one player who was targetted during his first summer.
Just a year after Edson Alvarez made his £35.4m move to West Ham, now United want him to replace Casemiro in defensive midfield at Old Trafford.
This deal would be a controversial one, with many likely to snub him considering it’s another former Ajax player and Ten Hag favourite.
But one man who won’t be turning his nose up at this deal is Lisandro Martinez who previously stated his intention to play alongside Alvarez once again.
Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, Edson Alvarez of Ajax celebrating the championship with the trophy dish during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax…
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images
Lisandro Martinez would love to see Edson Alvarez arrive this summer
Speaking after his exit from Ajax in 2022, Martinez was raving about Alvarez and even admitted he would like to play alongside the Mexican once more.
“I’m getting a little emotional now because Edson is like a brother to me. In a short period of time, we have built up a close friendship and that will of course continue to exist. But I’m going to miss Edson very much.
“I hope we can play together again soon at a club. Edson deserves these words. He’s a fantastic person.”
Martinez and Alvarez had an excellent relationship at Ajax and even played together as a centre-half pairing on occasions. They won multiple trophies together and so it’s hardly a shock to see that Martinez wants to play with him again.
But does he suit United or would he be another transfer mishap considering Ten Hag didn’t make a proper move to sign him in 2022, despite the Mexico captain making his case?
Does Alvarez suit Manchester United’s needs this summer?
In terms of providing Kobbie Mainoo with a midfield partner who is defensive-minded and capable of doing all the dirty work, United may look no further than Alvarez.
The West Ham midfielder may not be as dynamic a midfielder as Joao Neves or Amadou Onana but in terms of what he’d offer defensively, there may be no better option.
According to FBRef, Alvarez has completed 2.91 tackles per 90 (89th percentile), 1.50 interceptions per 90 (88th percentile), 2.16 blocks per 90 (98th percentile) and 2.79 clearances per 90 (98th percentile).
Alvarez also boasts a solid pass completion rate which should be enough to see him able to help United build out from the back, but he’d absolutely be signed for the protection he’d give to a defence which was far too exposed last season.
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