Paul Mitchell is reportedly on board with Manchester United’s pursuit of Javi Guerra with the Valencia midfielder a leading target for the Premier League giants in the INEOS era.
If reports are to be believed, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford revolution will be built upon a foundation of British-based, homegrown talent. The INEOS chief hopes to make Manchester United home to some of the most exciting English talent around, with Jarrad Branthwaite, Hayden Hackney and Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise among those supposedly high on the Red Devils wishlist.
That doesn’t mean, however, that United will not also look a little further afield for players capable of bringing happier times back to the red side of Manchester.
Manchester United love Valencia ace Javi Guerra
According to Spanish publication Relevo, United chiefs old and new – and that includes the potentially incoming Paul Mitchell – believe that Javi Guerra is a target worth stumping up for. The Spain under 21 international has been scouted frequently by the Premier League giants in recent months.
Guerra, a Valencia academy graduate, has scored three goals in his breakthrough La Liga campaign. He is emerging as a talismanic presence in a youthful Los Che side at the age of just 20.
Man United have reportedly made Guerra ‘aware of their interest’. Their scouts returned ‘tremendously positive’ reports when watching the playmaker in the flesh.
With his loping stride, his mop of dark brown hair, and a balletic elegance which belies his rangy frame, Guerra has often been likened to the former Ballon D’Or winner Kaka.
“(The Valencia youngsters) have all shown signs because they have not been a flash in the pan. They are progressing. The one I see most established (in the first-team) is Guerra,” Los Che icon David Albeda tells Cadena Cope.
“Javi Guerra, apart from everything he gives you and his scoring ability, is nice to watch for a fan. He is tall, fast, can dribble, and run back and forth. He is very interesting, both for us and – unfortunately – for the big teams.”
“There is something he has better than Kaka, which is defensive work-rate. Javi does it. He has a brutal physical potential.”
‘Better than Kaka’
Valencia, Relevo add, are more than aware of Man United’s interest.
But with an £87 million release clause in his contract, and with the Red Devils short of cash this month, the Spanish giants can sleep relatively easy for the time being. Until the summer, anyway.
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