As pre-season begins at clubs across major European leagues, dominoes are starting to fall, and Man Utd could be big beneficiaries of the latest one.
Since the players return for pre-season training, all the posturing in the transfer market goes for a walk because, like in Man Utd’s case, five players who weren’t in their plans received clarity.
Even Bryan Mbeumo, being a model professional, did no pitch-work as a move to Old Trafford was close.
Another United-linked star has gone the extra mile and did not even show up for pre-season training at his new club amid the threat of disciplinary measures.
Man Utd-linked Douglas Luiz no-shows pre-season
After adding 35 Premier League goals to the team with Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo, Amorim wants a striker, but a central midfielder is also on the agenda.
Amorim’s transfer demand to Ineos after the draw against Leeds again stressed the same, and the new philosophy of signing Premier League-proven players is attractive too.
Nobody fits that profile in United’s financial parameters better than Douglas Luiz, the Juventus midfielder who woke the world to his talents when he shone at Aston Villa.
Luiz has been linked to United repeatedly this summer, mainly as a makeweight for Jadon Sancho, or a package with Dusan Vlahovic.
However, an argument can be made that Luiz should be the headliner of any potential deal, such is his fit at Old Trafford and pedigree.
After not having the best of times at Juventus, Luiz is itching for a return to England, and as the club prepares to begin pre-season, the Brazilian has declared war.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Luiz failed to show up for pre-season training as usual, and Juventus are now set to take disciplinary measures.
The midfielder is expected to leave the club this summer and United would be wise to keep abreast of this opportunity, provided the terms of the deal make broad sense.
Luiz might be a deadline-day move
Considering a central midfielder is third on the list of priorities at Man Utd, after a striker, and a goalkeeper, it is fair to say that a marquee name shouldn’t be expected.
Enter Luiz, because a stressed asset doesn’t come with a higher level of potential return on investment than the Brazilian midfielder.
Much like Sofyan Amrabat, Luiz might end up being a deadline-day move for United when they can’t sign a big name in the midfield.
Juventus will be desperate to get rid by then, as the player has already started causing problems, and United could swoop in and do what could be done to them in Sancho or Garnacho’s case.
There are far worse options to strengthen the squad with than Luiz, who knows the Premier League well and will arrive with a chip on his shoulder after failing at Juventus.
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