Summer is here, and so are Manchester United-related transfer rumours. Lots and lots of Manchester United-related transfer rumours…
The latest name to be linked with a move to Old Trafford should certainly ring a few bells with United fans – especially seeing as he was said to be close to joining them for pretty much the duration of last summer.
Yep, once again, AS Monaco’s Fabinho is said to be attracting interest from Jose Mourinho – a manager he worked with for a brief while at Real Madrid.
Acknowledging that Atletico Madrid were in discussions to sign him, Mohamed Bouhafsi of RMC Sport added that United are also interested in the Brazilian and had held talks with his representatives.
Manchester United est toujours dans le dossier Fabinho. Discussions avec l’entourage mais toujours pas d’offre concrète à l’AS Monaco. Manchester United qui s’est positionné aussi sur Sidibe !
— Mohamed Bouhafsi (@mohamedbouhafsi) May 25, 2018
Fabinho helped Monaco to the 2017 title in Ligue 1, only for many of his teammates to leave the principality the following summer. Fabinho didn’t get a move, although United and Paris Saint-Germain were repeatedly said to be close to signing him.
Word that he could again be attracting interest from Old Trafford was greeted with a cynical response from plenty of United supporters, many drawing parallels with similar speculation that used to link the club with a move for Nicolas Gaitan.
Gaitan, who now plays in China for Dalian Yifang, was linked with a transfer to United on numerous occasions while at Benfica earlier in his career. Each time, the move failed to materialise and the Argentine eventually left Portugal for Atletico Madrid in 2016.
https://twitter.com/writtenoff_mufc/status/1000038764239097856
Is Fabinho the new Gaitain? 👀
— Hayles (@Hayles_101) May 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/kwadjofosu/status/1000058074814713856
I was wondering who would replace Strootman / Gaitan.
Welcome Fabinho.
— mitch (@mitch102000) May 25, 2018
Fabinho, the new Gaitan #MUFC
— Blank (@1b77000) May 25, 2018
Fabinho is turning into the new Gaitan
I hope not though 👀
— Mudiaga ☆ (@Mudi_Mats) May 25, 2018
Fabinho "The New Gaitan" https://t.co/TuQ7Hw9cRK
— MUSC Red Flag 🇧🇪 (@MUSCRFB) May 25, 2018
Fabinho is the new Nickolas Gaitan. Linked to United every transfer window
— 🚀 (@iam_Lordken) May 25, 2018
You get the gist.
Elsewhere, it seems United will be adding at least one Brazilian to their squad this summer. Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred, who is currently preparing for this summer’s World Cup, confirmed at a press conference that United had made a “strong offer” for him.
Mourinho is also thought to be interested in Toby Alderweireld, though reports have claimed United will not allow Anthony Martial to be part of any deal for the Belgian defender.