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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim will naturally be eyeing more quality in midfield once the summer window opens given the number of expected changes.
Christian Eriksen’s contract is up at the end of the season and the club have not offered him an extension as he does not fit the Portuguese’s vision.
Casemiro has won over the former Sporting CP boss but INEOS do not want to continue paying his humongous wages, which is why a summer exit cannot be ruled out.
Kobbie Mainoo is another whose future remains up in the air with both parties locked in talks over a new contract.
Midfield changes on the cards
There is interest from within the Premier League as well as abroad with the Englishman ready to leave should an agreement not be reached.
A lot of midfielders are on the club’s radar but given the financial issues and the need to spend big on improving the attack, there might not be too much money left over for a big-money midfield purchase.
Which is why F365 have relayed reports from Spain stating the Red Devils are planning to submit an opening offer of €30 million for Barcelona star Fermin Lopez.
Lopez can play as a deep-lying playmaker as well as an attacking midfielder and such versatility would be a huge boost for Amorim, who feels the Spanish ace perfectly fits his system.
His stats have been quite good as well with five goals and nine assists from only 16 starts across all competitions.
Amorim likes Fermin
Deco and Hansi Flick do not want to lose him, but the truth is Barca need funds to strengthen in the summer and a sale cannot be ruled out.
“Man Utd are willing to offer up to 30 million euros for the midfielder. Amorim believes Fermín is a perfect fit for his style of play due to his intensity, tactical ability, and versatility in midfield.
“At Camp Nou, however, this proposal is generating a divide of opinion. On the one hand, Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco consider Fermín a key player in the future project. His contract runs until 2029, and his buyout clause is €500 million, which demonstrates the club’s confidence in him.
“But the financial situation remains complicated, and the sporting directorate isn’t ruling out any deal if it allows for strengthening other areas of the team that need it most. Therefore, although the clause is beyond anyone’s reach, a good offer could get them to sit and listen.”
Fermin prefers to stay
The Spaniard has a market value of €50 million, which suggests the Catalan giants are unlikely to accept such a low opening offer, but further negotiations could subsequently ensue.
However, the 21-year-old is desperate to succeed at the Camp Nou while a transfer to Old Trafford does not appeal to the Spain U21 international due to the club’s recent struggles.
“However, Fermín Lopez himself is clear about his goal: to succeed at Barcelona. He knows he’s at a growing team, with a coach who believes in youth, and in an environment that values him.
“Furthermore, he is sceptical about joining a Manchester United side that has been through years of instability and has come closer to relegation than European positions last season.”
Amorim has already hinted that he wants only players who are desperate to play for the 20-time English league champions and that means a transfer is far from materialising.
Feature image David Ramos via Getty Images
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