Manchester United are shopping for a third midfield signing and links to Warren Zaire-Emery are starting to emerge.
Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have already joined Manchester United this summer and Warren Zaire-Emery could complete Michael Carrick’s rebuild.
Zaire-Emery, 20, is a highly-rated PSG midfielder and French outlet TopMercato are reporting that United are preparing a £51 million bid for him.
United’s interest in Zaire-Emery dates back to 2023 when he was a teenager breaking into PSG’s first team. Now, it seems Ineos could make a move to try and bring him to Old Trafford.
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Warren Zaire-Emery is a ‘dream’ signing for Man United
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Zaire-Emery is a “dream” signing for United this summer.
Romano said: “My understanding is that PSG are not planning to change anything in midfield. So at the moment the Zaire Emery story is difficult. I would mention Zaire Emery more as kind of dream target than real target for Manchester United.”
Like the Santos and Tielemans deals, the interest in Zaire-Emery has appeared quickly, but it is clear to see why Ineos are so interested in the French midfielder.
According to ScoutLab, Zaire-Emery ranks in the top 1% for the following passing stats:
- Passing overperformance
- Forward pass completion rate
- Progressive pass completion rate
- Long pass completion rate
United need the third midfielder to be defensively solid, and Zaire-Emery’s duelling stats are also exceptional compared to players in the top five European leagues.
Zaire-Emery ranks in the top 9% for ground duels won per 90 minutes, averaging 2.66 per match.
He also ranks in the top 11% for recoveries made per 90 minutes and top 4% for aerial duel success rate.
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Warren Zaire-Emery fits into Michael Carrick’s plan
On paper, there are no real flaws to Zaire-Emery’s game. Statistically he is extremely well-rounded, and an elite passer of the ball.
That fits the profile of midfielder that Carrick wants.
Youri Tielemans is an elite line-breaker and tempo controller, while United were quick to point out that Santos had the highest pass-completion rate and the most progressive passes per 90 minutes of midfielders under the age of 22 in the Premier League.
Carrick wants technicians on the ball in midfield, and Zaire-Emery fits that mould while adding some much-needed muscle and defensive nous.
There will be some understandable concerns about his experience as a 20-year-old, but he is already a Champions League and Ligue 1 winner with PSG. Adapting to the Premier League could take time, but Zaire-Emery is worth the risk for Ineos.
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