Latest Manchester United transfer news as a new name is linked to bolstering Ruben Amorim’s midfielder
Josh is a Senior Football Writer for Reach PLC’s Central Audience Team. Having previously spent over a year at football.london as a trends writer, Josh has experience covering Leicester City for the Leicester Mercury. You can find Josh’s work across Reach PLC sides such as Manchester Evening News, football.london, Liverpool Echo, LeedsLive and many more.
Romeo Lavia(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Manchester United decided against pursuing a midfielder in the summer transfer window, instead opting to sign a new-look attack and another goalkeeper.
After Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves in June, the Reds signed Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko to complete Amorim’s overhaul of the forward line.
On deadline day, Senne Lammens followed them from Royal Antwerp to compete for the No.1 jersey. Over £215million was spent to correct last year’s humiliating season but there remain alarm bells within the team.
The Manchester Evening News has reported that United did not consider strengthening their midfield as a priority in the window due to the options available already.
Bruno Fernandes rejected a move to Saudi Arabia earlier in the window and any chance of Casemiro leaving seemed moot throughout. The pair have been Amorim’s first choice in the opening three Premier League games with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte waiting in the wings for their chance.
As was widely reported during the window, United enquired about Carlos Baleba and were swiftly put off from Brighton’s £100m valuation. Morten Hjulmand, Ederson and Angelo Stiller were all also linked.
Adam Wharton was the other star-studied name in the crop of No.6s on United’s radar. Again, the valuation of the Crystal Palace star meant Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada had no chance in negotiating a move.
The transfer window is now closed and United will have to work with four available to Amorim – or dip into the free agent market. January will present another opportunity for work to be done on the midfield but the winter market is traditionally a tougher period to conduct business in.
However, between now and then, new names are set to be added to United’s radar and Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia is the latest. The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has claimed that the former Manchester City academy starlet is emerging as a possible target just two years after his move to Stamford Bridge.
“The end of the window of course means the start of speculation for January, mostly due to the business that didn’t get done,” he said in his Inside Football Newsletter. “Manchester United still want a midfielder.
“Expect United to back in for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, although some insiders have wondered whether a deal could be done with Chelsea’s Romeo Lavia.”
Romeo Lavia has spent more time out injured than available for Chelsea(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
When he was at Southampton, Lavia was one of the most-exciting defensive midfielders. As a 19-year-old, he cost Chelsea an initial £53m and within two years, he has played just 23 times.
Injuries have plagued his progress and have forced him to miss 73 games. According to Transfermarkt, hamstring injuries have been his biggest issue, keeping him out for 291 days. In total, Lavia has missed a whopping 490 days since moving to Chelsea.
Unfortunately, muscle problems can become a constant issue for players. Right now, Lavia’s injury record is enough reason for United to stay as far away from the midfielder as possible.
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