United failing to sign a target? Never!!!!!
Manchester United are now onto their third choice target at left-back, with Porto apparently digging their heels in over Alex Telles.
United were chasing Telles after missing out on their top target Sergio Reguilón to Tottenham after refusing to indulge Real Madrid’s demand for a buy-back clause.
But it looks as though they won’t be able to sign Telles either, with Porto reluctant to sell the 27-year-old, according to South American football expert Tim Vickery.
🗣"Porto are driving a hard bargain for Telles and the focus could be shifting to Tagliafico!" @Tim_Vickery on Manchester United being linked to Alex Telles & Nicolás Tagliafico pic.twitter.com/3mbEQjgvol
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 23, 2020
“The Argentine press are saying Porto are driving a hard bargain for Alex Telles,” Vickery said.
“The focus could be shifting to Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax.”
Vickery went on to note that Telles offers more than Tagliafico both going forward and defensively, not to mention Telles is also one year younger than his Argentine counterpart.
United would also have to pay over £20 million for Taglifico, who at the age of 28 would not offer much, if any resale value.
This is just the latest in a long list of transfers United have tried to pull off and failed. Jadon Sancho was meant to be wrapped up a long time ago and now looks as if it isn’t going to happen this summer, if ever. No defensive midfielders have come in this summer, with the only out and out holding player, Nemanja Matić, signing a new contract at the age of 32. Donny Van de Beek came in and scored on his debut, and while depth is important, United are already strong in central midfield.
If they are to return to the peak of the English game, something fundamental needs to change with regards to how they negotiate their transfers.
