This would be a transfer for Manchester United around seven years in the making.
It was July 2017 when a Red Devils side then under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho were reportedly making moves to raid one of the Portuguese’s former clubs.
The object of their affection was reportedly talented, teenage full-back Miguel Gutierrez. A player, over the next seven seasons, would not only force his way into the first-team picture at Real Madrid but who would go on to blossom into one of – if not the – most exciting young left-backs in Europe, per the Manchester Evening News.
It is no secret that Manchester United are in the market for a new left-sided defender.
During a season in which Luke Shaw was unavailable more than not and Tyrell Malacia did not make a single appearance, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were all tasked with filling in to very mixed results.
Manchester United like Girona’s Miguel Gutierrez
“Man United will sign a left-back because they know Tyrell Malacia is struggling, also the injuries of Luke Shaw this season. (United) will go for a young, talented and good, important left-back,” Fabrizio Romano would explain on X.
“This is the idea of the club and also agreed with the manager.”
‘Young’ and ‘talented’? Those two attributes can certainly be used to describe Miguel Gutierrez.
If anyone sums up Girona’s success last season – qualifying for the Champions League for the very first time while flirting briefly with the La Liga title under the Ineos-admired head coach Michel – it is their swashbuckling, all-action 22-year-old left-back.
With two goals and seven assists to his name across 2023/24, Real’s decision to include a buy-back clause in Gutierrez’s clause when he swapped Madrid for Catalonia two years back certainly now feels like a very good one.
Man United would reportedly need £30 million to bring long-time target to Old Trafford, per Mundo Deportivo. Real Madrid, however, can do the honours for just £7 million.
La Liga star opens door to Real Madrid return
Much will depend on whether Real manage to tie up a deal for Bayern Munich speedster Alphonso Davies.
The man himself, meanwhile, is looking to put the speculation to one side as he prepares to feature for Spain at the Paris Olympics. But, while commenting on those rumours for the first time this summer, Gutierrez was keen to leave the door open to his beloved former employers.
“As of today, I think what is known is that I have a contract with Girona,” Gutierrez tells Mundo Deportivo. “I am happy there and whatever comes next, my agents will tell me.
“We have to focus on the day to day and what I have to do now is concentrate on the national team and the Olympic Games, on bringing gold to Las Rozas.
“It is true that, as you say, they have the option to buy me back, which depends on Real Madrid. As you know, I have always been a Real Madrid fan and it is a pleasure for me to have my name mentioned there.”
Some of the other left-backs linked with Man United include Ferdi Kadioglu – Turkey’s Euro 2024 star who represents Mourinho’s Fenerbahce – and Melvin Bard.
A deal for the latter will be blocked, however, with UEFA blocking the trade of players from one Ineos-owned club to another while Nice and Man United are both heading into the Europa League.
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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