Manchester United’s recruitment policy over the past year has seen some very talented youngsters join and Ineos are far from done.
Of all the positions Ineos have strengthened and locked down for the next decade – if all goes to plan – wing-back has been a clear priority.
Manchester United already had Harry Amass who was seen as an elite talent, but have since added to the youngster options in this position.
Paraguayan wonderkid Diego Leon has been signed to arrive next summer for just £3.2m.
The winter transfer window also saw the arrival of Patrick Dorgu who is seen as a generational talent who will likely be United’s left wing-back for the coming years.
Now, the summer will see United look to become equally as set on the right wing-back side.
Manchester United eye Wesley Franca
United are sorted on the left, but on the right, there are not long-term solutions in place.
This will be one thing to fix in the summer, with United already looking to sign Geovany Quenda for £33m. But now another option has been suggested.
According to Brazilian journalist Pablo Raphael, from Gazeta do Urubu, United are set to try and sign Wesley Franca in the next transfer window.
It explains that United are undergoing a restructuring and has placed Wesley on a list of priorities for the summer. The Flamengo board are aware that it will be tricky to keep their 21-year-old beyond the summer.
There is more interest in Wesley around Europe, with a €30m (£25m) bid from Zenit thought to be on standby – although this would be an overpriced move when considering Quenda is just £8m more.
Wesley was also linked with United last year, after his Serie A move collapsed. At the time a deal was tipped to cost £21m by BolaVIP and United could look at this as a bargain as he continues improving.
‘Exceptional’ Wesley is a Christopher Vivell-like transfer for Ineos
Signing Wesley is the kind of transfer we expected when Christopher Vivell was placed at the helm of the transfer business.
Flamengo manager, former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid defender, Felipe Luis, told ESPN that Wesley has no ceiling while praising the full-back.
“He’s the kind of player who will decide where he wants to play come June. There’s no ceiling for this kid; he’s exceptional.
CIES has also concluded that Wesley is a huge talent, naming him sixth in a list of the top U23 players who are ready for the next step in their careers.
This summer he seems likely to make that step, but it is yet to be seen if his destination will be United.
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