New Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe “wants” a deal to sign Palmeiras star Thalys this summer, according to reports.
The British billionaire expressed confidence that it was more important for the Red Devils to focus on young, long-term players than finished players.
Asked if he would rather sign Tadej Pogačar for his INEOS cycling team or Kylian Mbappe, on his way to Real Madrid for Manchester United, Ratcliffe said on the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast last month: “What I’d rather do, I’d rather track down the next Mbappe, than spend a fortune just looking to buy success.
“It’s that smart, right? Buying Mbappé. In a sense, anyone can perceive it. But what’s much harder is locating the next Mbappe, the next [Jude] Bellingham or the next Roy Keane.
And young Palmeiras striker Thalys is up to the task and Brazilian Bolavip relayed journalist Jorge Nicola’s claim that Ratcliffe “wants a deal” for the Brazilian prodigy.
He insists that the technique “was just an investigation and a concrete proposal would still take some time” and it is understood that Man Utd “must continue to compare the jewel and wait until he has his first minutes as a professional to make an offer”. Thalys has a €40 million (£34 million) release clause.
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It is highly likely that Man Utd will also look to bolster the centre of their defence with Football Transfers stating that the Red Devils “could make a move” for Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa.
The Red Devils “were alerted to Konsa’s frustration with his contract at Villa Park last summer and had the English foreigner on their shortlist. “
Villa “were reluctant to sell and opted to more than double the 26-year-old’s salary”, but Manchester United “are still considered an admirer of Konsa, although it is admitted that the player’s valuation would be particularly high after his renewal”. .
Former Manchester United winger Lee Sharpe believes the Red Devils want to sign a new striker this summer to shore up Rasmus Hojlund next season.
Sharpe told Squawka: “I think (Rasmus) Hojlund has started to produce what we expected from him in the last six or eight games. I don’t think he’s had the serve to score the goals he’s capable of.
“But I also think he’s a young kid and he wants a little help. He hasn’t really gotten a lot of help since (Anthony) Martial is also injured. I think he’d probably be a defensive midfielder as well.
“I think (Christian) Eriksen and Casemiro have probably had problems with their legs this season and they’ve been racing a little bit. Other than that, I think right-back, I think we’re covered. Luke Shaw, I think he’s one of the most productive left-backs, if he can stay fit.
On Man Utd’s chances of finishing in the top four, Sharpe added: “Well, mathematically they still have a chance, so they still have to go. And you expect (Aston) Villa and Tottenham to drop points. But for United to qualify in the top four, it would mean that United would have to show consistency between now and the end of the season, without dropping any points.
“It is partly expected that a Man Utd team will step aside and do that at some point in the season, but this season it turns out to be out of their reach. They have a smart outcome, then a bad outcome, and then a smart outcome. And that turns out to be the story of the season.