Manchester United could follow up the signing of Mason Mount with World Cup-winning midfielder Thiago Almada as Erik ten Hag looks to future proof his squad.
The Red Devils are expected to complete the signing of the England star, with the 24-year-old set to depart his boyhood club Chelsea for Old Trafford imminently. The 36-time international is something of a coup for the 20-time champions, especially with arch-rivals Liverpool and German giants Bayern Munich having been mentioned as potential suitors for the attacking midfielder previously.
Having entered the final year of his contract at Stamford Bridge this month, a parting of ways became inevitable this summer when the homegrown ace was unable to reach an agreement over fresh terms. A permanent switch to Manchester United now beckons for the player, with the Blues set to net £55million for the academy graduate.
The 20-time English champions may not stop there when it comes to reinforcements in this area of the pitch, however. According to Argentinian journalist Bruno Gonzalez Garcia, the Premier League giants are considering a swoop for Atlanta United midfielder Almada, with neighbours Manchester City also keeping tabs on the 22-year-old's availability.
The attacking midfielder became the first MLS player to become a world champion in 2022 and has impressed since making a record-breaking switch stateside. As well as earning the league's Newcomer of the Year award last term, he has also received the nod to play for the MLS All-Stars versus Arsenal this summer.
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The four-time Argentina international is one of the league's brightest talents, having notched some 15 goals and 16 assists in MLS since moving to Mercedes Benz Stadium. Given his playing style as a front-foot attacking midfielder, who combines guile with an ability to be a difference maker in the final third, it is possible that he could provide Ten Hag with a long-term successor to Bruno Fernandes.
Furthermore, with Christian Eriksen turning 32 next season, it does seem feasible that Almada could well come in as a rotation option to lessen the load on the Denmark international in midfield. On top of this, with the club returning to the Champions League next season, the need for more strength in depth is clear.
Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes (Getty Images)The Argentinian starlet's talents have not been lost on his international teammates either, with his captain Lionel Messi the chief among his supporters. Speaking following the 22-year-old's bow for his country versus Honduras last year, the iconic winger praised Almada's technical skill, while also acknowledging his bravery and intelligence.
He said: "Thiago [Almada] plays loose, he's very fast and he has a lot of 1-v-1 ability. He's very clever and he's not afraid of anything. He goes at you."
A member of Argentina's historic World Cup winning squad in Qatar in 2022, his place among his country's folklore is already secure as one of the contributors to their first triumph since Diego Maradona's vintage in 1986. Perhaps, the chance to build upon this success will arise in the form of a transfer to Old Trafford this summer.
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